Methane is around 80 times more potent than CO₂ over a 20-year period, yet it remains in the atmosphere for only about a decade, meaning that emission cuts translate rapidly into slower warming. Drawing on the latest assessments from the IPCC, WMO, IEA and UNEP, the report identifies fossil fuels, agriculture, and waste as the three sectors responsible for the vast majority of anthropogenic methane emissions and sets out nine priority actions across them to be delivered by 2030.

For the waste sector, which accounts for roughly a fifth of global anthropogenic methane emissions, the report identifies three priority actions:
–  phasing out open dumping and uncontrolled landfills through clear timelines and infrastructure planning;
–  capturing methane from waste and wastewater through anaerobic digestion, landfill gas utilization, and treatment technologies;
–  and building circular, low-methane urban waste systems through mandatory source separation, expanded composting, and integrated investment that prioritizes prevention, recycling, and energy recovery.

Rather than a purely technical reference, the report is framed as a call to action: it combines data on emissions, mitigation potential, and costs with concrete policy and investment priorities for governments, industry, cities, and financiers. It also highlights the significant economic case for action, noting that methane mitigation across all three sectors could deliver USD 330 billion in annual global economic benefits by 2030, alongside major public health and food security gains.

This resource is intended for national and local governments, development institutions, industry actors, financiers, and practitioners working on climate mitigation, waste management, and the circular economy.