India's Methane Dilemma: The Numbers Behind the Global Methane Status Report 2025
31 million tonnes. That is the quantity of methane India emitted in 2020, as highlighted in the Global Methane Status Report 2025, released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) during COP30 in Belem. India accounts for a staggering 9% of global methane emissions—a statistic that places the country among the largest contributors globally. What inflates this number further is India's significant role in agricultural emissions, contributing 12% of global agricultural methane, the highest share worldwide.
The Broken Promises of Target-Setting
India was already under scrutiny after deciding not to sign the Global Methane Pledge (GMP), launched at COP26 to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 (from 2020 levels). This omission reflects a wider trend: despite commitments like the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), implementation remains patchy. The current emission trajectory shows an impending 8% rise in methane released from Indian rice cultivation by 2030, driven by conventional flooding techniques in paddy fields. Enteric fermentation from livestock is no better—it continues to dwarf other sources as India's largest methane contributor, compounded by inefficient manure management systems.
What makes this report different is its blunt admission: global methane reduction mechanisms are far from functional. Improved waste regulations and monitoring have failed to create meaningful impact. India, with its vast livestock population and traditional agricultural systems, becomes both a critical problem and an indispensable part of the solution. Yet the systemic inertia in effectively deploying technologies like the System of Rice Intensification (SRI)—capable of cutting methane by 30–70%—is glaring.
The Machinery of Methane Policy: Global and Domestic Disconnects
On the global stage, UNEP’s tools such as the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) and the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) are leading the charge. These frameworks rely heavily on real-time satellite monitoring for methane detection, primarily targeting energy sectors. They cover approximately 70% of global oil and gas operations, setting a technical precedent that India has yet to fully adopt.
At the domestic level, India's climate-resilient strategies under NMSA appear uneven. The programme aims to reduce emissions indirectly through soil health management and water-use efficiency, but it seldom addresses sector-specific methane concerns. A brighter spot lies in waste sector policies under Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, which encourage biomethanation and composting. However, fewer than 10% of Indian urban local bodies have adopted biomethanation systems systematically, raising questions about scale and enforcement.
The Data Gap: Are Estimates Masking Ground Realities?
Despite the headline severity, questions arise around the accuracy of methane data itself. In India, methane tracking remains largely limited to periodic studies by satellite mapping initiatives and works like those under NARCISS (National Remote Sensing Centre Integrated Studies). These sources, while valuable, often rely on indirect evidences, underestimating emissions from dispersed agricultural practices.
For instance, crop residue burning—a major emitter—is underreported, especially in northern states like Punjab and Haryana. The contribution of such practices to localized methane concentrations suggests a data blind spot in UNEP’s global estimates. Although IMEO provides a robust verification mechanism for industrial methane sources globally, Indian agricultural methane often falls through the cracks due to reliance on conventional monitoring systems.
The Uncomfortable Questions: A Structural Impasse?
Where is the political will to address livestock-related emissions? India's agricultural methane, tied to culturally entrenched practices and livelihood systems, presents a paradox for policymakers. Livestock reforms—even superficial ones like improved manure management—remain contentious, caught between ecological imperatives and socioeconomic sensitivities.
Another challenge lies in financing mitigation technologies. While UNEP's frameworks like OGMP 2.0 emphasize private sector participation, Indian initiatives largely depend on constrained public funding. The 2025 Union Budget allocated ₹12,000 crore under the climate-resilient farming component, a significant rise from previous years but insufficient considering India's methane hotspot status.
State-level implementation further complicates matters. Kerala, for example, has achieved notable success with SRI methods in paddy cultivation but remains an outlier. States with heavier agricultural loads—Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab—have shown little substantive progress, constrained by institutional inefficiencies and farmer resistance.
A Comparative Lens: Lessons from South Korea
Contrast India's situation with South Korea, which adopted aggressive methane reduction strategies post-2018 under its Green New Deal. Major policy shifts included mandatory low-emission practices for livestock and rice farming, backed by carbon penalties for non-compliance. By 2022, South Korea had reduced agricultural methane emissions by 12%, a benchmark that highlights India's lag in enforcement mechanisms. While India’s broader agricultural base complicates replication of such measures, South Korea’s example underscores that regulatory enforcement can succeed with targeted incentives and clear penalties.
The Prelims and Mains Connection
- Prelims Question 1: Methane is approximately how many times more potent than CO₂ over a 20-year timescale?
a) 28-34 times
b) 80-84 times
c) 55-60 times
d) 15-20 times
Answer: b) 80-84 times - Prelims Question 2: Which global initiative focuses specifically on reducing methane emissions from oil and gas operations?
a) Global Methane Pledge
b) Solid Waste Management Rules
c) Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0
d) International Methane Emissions Observatory
Answer: c) Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0
Mains Question: "Critically evaluate whether India's methane mitigation strategies remain adequate in light of its substantial contribution to global emissions, especially in the agricultural sector."
Practice Questions for UPSC
Prelims Practice Questions
- India accounts for approximately 9% of global methane emissions.
- India's agricultural practices contribute 12% to global agricultural methane emissions, the highest of any country.
- The main source of methane emissions in India comes from industrial practices.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO)
- Global Methane Pledge (GMP)
- Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016
Which of the above initiatives are correctly aimed at methane emissions reduction?
Frequently Asked Questions
What role does the agricultural sector play in India's methane emissions?
The agricultural sector is responsible for a significant portion of India's methane emissions, contributing 12% of the global agricultural methane, which is the highest share worldwide. The primary causes include practices like conventional flooding in rice cultivation and enteric fermentation from livestock, showcasing the sector's impact on methane levels.
Why did India choose not to sign the Global Methane Pledge during COP26?
India's decision not to sign the Global Methane Pledge reflects a lack of confidence in its ability to meet the objectives due to systemic inertia in implementing effective methane reduction strategies. This decision has led to increased scrutiny regarding India's commitments to global climate agreements, especially given its large contribution to global emissions.
How do global methane reduction mechanisms currently operate, and what are their limitations?
Global methane reduction mechanisms, such as those initiated by the UNEP, rely heavily on frameworks like the International Methane Emissions Observatory and satellite monitoring for effective tracking. However, these mechanisms often fall short in addressing emissions from agriculture, particularly in countries like India with traditional farming practices that contribute significantly to methane emissions.
What challenges does India face in addressing livestock-related methane emissions?
India faces considerable challenges due to the cultural significance of livestock in rural livelihoods, making policy changes around livestock emissions sensitive and contentious. Additionally, financing for mitigation technologies remains a barrier, as much of the funding is limited to public sources rather than encouraging private sector investment.
What are the primary sources of methane emissions in India according to the Global Methane Status Report 2025?
According to the report, the primary sources of methane emissions in India include enteric fermentation from livestock and methane released from rice cultivation practices. Other contributing factors involve inefficient waste management systems and crop residue burning, further complicating the methane emission scenario.
Source: LearnPro Editorial | Environmental Ecology | Published: 20 November 2025 | Last updated: 3 March 2026
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