PARIS: Methane emissions from the energy sector remained at near record levels in 2025, the International Energy Agency said in a report on Monday. Tackling the emissions could make billions of cubic meters of gas available to international markets, a top priority as the war in the Middle East squeezes energy supplies, the report said. &quot;With methane emissions from energy sector near record highs, tried-and-tested abatement measures could make 200 billion cubic meters of natural gas available annually,&quot; said The Global Methane Tracker 2026 report. &quot;If select countries with spare existing gas export capacity and importing countries were to implement readily accessible methane abatement measures across their gas systems, nearly 15 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas could very quickly be made available to markets,&quot; it said. Over the longer term such measures &quot;could deliver nearly 100 bcm of gas to markets each year, while eliminating non-emergency gas flaring could unlock a further 100 bcm,&quot; it said. The report, based on data from satellites and measurement campaigns, presents emissions findings for 2025 and explores various abatement measures and associated costs.

Gas prices above $6 per gallon are displayed at s Chevron station in Monterey Park, California, on April 30, 2026.

Climate

International Energy Agency says near-record Methane emissions in 2025 could be reduced to unlock significant natural gas supplies for global markets.

Energy sector methane emissions linger near record highs: IEA

TOKYO: Japan said on Monday it was beginning the release of its strategic oil reserves after the International Energy Agency indicated earlier that the release would begin in Asia and Oceania before other regions. IEA members agreed on March 11 to tap oil stockpiles to cushion the surge in prices caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran -- by far the largest-ever response of its kind. Japan, which depends on the Middle East for 95% of its oil imports, said Monday in a notice in its official government gazette that the level of oil reserves in the country &quot;is being lowered&quot;. The issuance of the notice compels managers of oil reserves to release part of their stockpile to meet the new standard. Many Japanese media interpreted the notice as confirmation that the release had already begun. Minoru Kihara, top spokesman for the government, said Monday the country would release 15 days&#39; worth of private-sector petroleum reserves. Strategic oil reserves Japan&#39;s strategic oil reserves are among the world&#39;s largest and stood at more than 400 million barrels as of December. The country holds reserves equivalent to 254 days of domestic consumption. Ryosei Akazawa, the minister of economy, trade and industry, said on Friday that private oil reserves would be released before government stockpiles. Takaichi said last week that the country planned to release one month&#39;s worth of national reserves. The IEA said earlier that a total of 271.7 million barrels of government-managed stocks would be released worldwide. &quot;Individual implementation plans have been submitted to the IEA by Member countries. These plans indicate that stocks will be made available by IEA Member countries in Asia Oceania immediately,&quot; said the IEA. &quot;Stocks from IEA Member countries in the Americas and Europe will be made available starting from the end of March,&quot; it added.

Business

Japan's strategic oil reserves are among the world's largest and stood at more than 400 million barrels as of December; the country holds reserves equivalent to 254 days of domestic consumption.



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The country holds reserves equivalent to 254 days of domestic consumption.



Articles tagged with "International Energy Agency"

Energy sector methane emissions linger near record highs: IEA

Japan says beginning release of strategic oil reserves

Energy sector methane emissions linger near record highs: IEA