The amount of methane in the atmosphere rose to a record level worldwide in 2021, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which warns of the need to reduce emissions of the gas.
CO2 levels also continued to rise considerably, as indicated by the US government agency in its annual report.
“Our data show that global emissions continue to move rapidly in the wrong direction,” NOAA Director Rick Spinrad said in a statement.
Methane is the second largest contributor to global warming, after CO2. Its duration in the atmosphere is shorter — about 10 years — than that of CO2, but its heating power is much higher.
Scientists estimate that 30% of methane emissions are related to the production of fossil fuels.
According to NOAA, in 2021, the increase in methane levels in the atmosphere was 17 ppb (parts per billion), the largest annual increase since measurements began in 1983. In 2020, the increase was 15 ppb, which is already it was a record.
Atmospheric methane levels reached 1,895 ppb last year.
“Reducing methane emissions is an important tool that we can use now to reduce the short-term consequences of climate change,” Spinrad said.
In late February, the International Energy Agency (IEA) also called for the issue to be addressed. Its annual report indicates that methane emissions from the oil, gas and coal sectors increased by 5% in 2021, but did not reach the maximum recorded in 2019.
At the UN COP26, held last year in Glasgow (Scotland), a commitment was made to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. However, among the top five emitters, China, Russia, Iran, India and the United States , only the latter has signed the pledge so far.
