Forging the path on methane research
EDF has been at the forefront of methane science for over a decade. Our scientists have contributed to more than 120 peer-reviewed studies on methane — a potent climate pollutant — examining the magnitude and location of emissions, their impact, and methods for measuring emissions over time.
And our work continues. Our groundbreaking research is helping to give the world an unprecedented understanding of methane emissions globally— and guiding action to make sure reductions happen quickly.
EDF’s global leadership on methane research
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Studies EDF scientists and partners have published on methane -
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Organizations that have partnered with us on methane science research -
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Countries where EDF scientists and partners have studied methane, in addition to globally focused work
The impact of our methane science
Methane is the main ingredient in natural gas, and fossil fuel production is a major source of global methane emissions along with agriculture and waste management.
EDF scientists focus on understanding methane emissions from different sectors across the globe, with research on topics including:
- Methane from oil and gas, coal mines and agriculture.
- Climate impacts and mitigation of methane.
- Satellite-based quantification and characterization of methane.
- Assessment methods to improve characterization of methane emissions.
We’re studying ways to reduce methane emissions from livestock farming by improving manure management and animals’ diets and health. We’ve researched methane leaks from liquified natural gas terminals. And we launched MethaneSAT, a satellite that will aim to find and measure methane emissions from regions accounting for more than 80% of global oil and gas production.
Our goal? Working with academic, industry and nonprofit partners around the world to better characterize, measure and, ultimately, cut methane emissions from a variety of sources.
We’re also making the data we gather public. Alongside partners like the United Nations’ International Methane Emissions Observatory, we’re working to improve the data we collect and provide it to the public, ensuring that policymakers can develop targeted solutions to reduce emissions quickly and effectively — and that those reductions can be verified.
Partner perspective
Environmental Defense Fund’s cutting-edge methane science and constructive engagement over the past decade have spurred companies and countries to action on methane pollution and helped make the Global Methane Pledge possible.
Fatih Birol
Executive Director, International Energy Agency, in the 2022 EDF Impact Report
Featured research projects and publications
From building a methane-hunting satellite to analyzing methane emissions in the world’s largest oil field, here are a few highlights from our work. See more of our published research (PDF).
- Explainer
How MethaneSAT is different from other satellites
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PermianMAP: Mapping methane leaks from the planet's largest oil field
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Massive EDF-led collaboration reveals more serious methane problem
- Analysis
Acting rapidly to deploy readily available methane mitigation measures by sector can immediately slow global warming
- Analysis
The value of early methane mitigation in preserving Arctic summer sea ice
- Analysis
Linking methane measurements to mitigation in Mexico
Updates
Read the latest articles, blogs and press releases on methane and science.
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New Map Helps Show Significant Methane Pollution from Municipal Landfills
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Flying over Pennsylvania in search of orphan wells: building momentum to solve a global problem
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Turning pledges into progress: An accountability framework for reducing emissions from the oil and gas industry
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EU Green Deal in Action: Critical choices ahead for the EU Low-carbon Hydrogen Definition
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New Study Provides Comprehensive Estimates of Methane Emissions from Canada’s Oil and Gas Industry Based on Direct Measurements
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New Data Show U.S. Oil & Gas Methane Emissions Over Four Times Higher than EPA Estimates, Eight Times Greater than Industry Target
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Insights from EDF scientists and innovators
Millie Chu Baird, who leads innovative projects at EDF, explains the power and promise of MethaneSAT for protecting our climate.
EDF scientists Daniel Zavala-Araiza and Julia Gohlke spotlight innovative solutions for cutting methane.
Our methane science experts
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Daniel Zavala-Araiza
Senior Scientist II
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Ritesh Gautam
Lead Senior Scientist
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Steven Hamburg
Senior Vice President, Chief Scientist
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Alba Lorente
Methane Monitoring Scientist
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Peri Rosenstein
Senior Scientist, Livestock Systems
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Joe Rudek
Lead Senior Scientist
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Donglai Xie (Ph.D)
Senior Scientist
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Ramon Alvarez
Associate Chief Scientist
MEDIA CONTACT
Anne Marie Borrego
(202) 572-3508 (office)