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R48424 — Methane Emissions: U.S. and International Mitigation Efforts

Reports · published 2025-05-06 · v3 · Active · crsreports.congress.gov ↗

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Authors
Kathryn G. Kynett
Report id
R48424
Summary

Methane is a greenhouse gas (GHG) emitted in part as a result of human activities. According to climate scientists, approximately 0.5°C of the net 1.1°C increase in global surface temperatures that has occurred since 1850 may be attributed to methane emissions. According to such scientists, methane emissions are generally increasing around the world. A number of stakeholders and policymakers consider mitigating (i.e., reducing or abating) methane emissions one of the most effective ways to address near-term global warming. This is due to methane’s potency as a GHG—it has approximately 80 times the warming impact of carbon dioxide over 20 years—and the availability of relatively cost-effective mitigation strategies. A number of satellites designed to monitor methane emissions have been launched in recent years. These monitoring technologies provide near real-time data to detect and address large emissions events, opportunities to enhance regulatory enforcement, and potential to improve the accuracy of greenhouse gas inventories. The United States has engaged in a range of actions—both domestic and international efforts—that address methane emissions. Congress has enacted a number of policies regarding methane emissions, in particular from the oil and gas sector. For example, Congress addressed methane emissions through a budget reconciliation measure commonly referred to as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA; P.L. 117-169). The IRA allocated funding to assist the oil and gas sector in reducing methane emissions, required the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program regulations focusing on the oil and gas industry, and directed EPA to impose and collect a “waste emissions charge” (WEC) on methane emissions from oil and gas facilities. EPA issued a final rulemaking to implement the WEC in November 2024. In the 119th Congress, both the House and the Senate passed a joint resolution (H.J.Res. 35) disapproving under the Congressional Review Act of EPA’s WEC rule. President Trump signed the measure on March 14, 2025, enacting the resolution (P.L. 119-2). It is uncertain what effect the enacted joint resolution will have regarding the statutory requirement. The United States participates in a range of international efforts that seek to reduce global methane emissions, including the Paris Agreement (PA) obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Global Methane Pledge (GMP). The Trump Administration has directed the United States to withdraw from the PA, which is to occur in January 2026. The GMP is a voluntary commitment to reduce global anthropogenic methane emissions (i.e., those caused by human activities) by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. The United States has engaged in a number of collaborative efforts with international partners—including through bilateral agreements and participation in international coalitions and working groups—to facilitate methane mitigation. National governments have developed a number of methane mitigation policies and initiatives. These policies range from national plans with no binding legal requirements and targets, to incentive programs, to regulations with binding requirements. The policies may be of interest to Members considering mitigation options in the United States. Congress may consider what, if any, actions to take on methane emissions. Some Members advocate for rolling back existing regulations, citing economic and competitiveness concerns. In particular, some Members have proposed repealing the WEC in statute, limiting federal agency authority, or reducing funding for methane reduction. Other Members support stronger measures to address methane emissions from fossil fuels, agriculture, and waste management. Members could consider their support for federal agency initiatives, regulatory actions, or funding for methane detection and mitigation.

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