After five days of negotiations, delegates from more than 60 countries concluded an international climate meeting on Friday with a new pledge to monitor and publicly report methane emissions. The agreement focuses on transparency rather than new targets, but negotiators say it fills an important gap.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, responsible for a significant share of short-term warming. Leaks from pipelines, landfills and agriculture are often poorly measured, making it difficult to know whether reduction efforts are working.

Satellites And Shared Data

Under the new pledge, participating nations will share satellite observations and ground-based measurements through an independent scientific panel. Each country will publish an annual methane report in a standard format, beginning in two years. “You cannot fix what you cannot see,” says Dr. Amara Okeke, an atmospheric scientist who briefed delegates. “This brings methane out of the shadows.”

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The deal also creates a technical support fund, starting at $400 million, to help lower-income countries purchase monitoring equipment and train specialists.

Scientists have long called for better methane data. Recent advances in satellite technology now allow researchers to detect large leaks from space, but the information has been scattered among research groups, governments and private companies. The new pledge aims to bring those sources together under common standards. “Consistency is everything,” Okeke says. “If every country measures differently, you cannot compare results or track progress over time.” The independent panel will include scientists from several regions and will publish its methods openly. Officials say the first shared dataset should be available within 18 months, allowing researchers worldwide to verify reported figures.

Mixed Reactions

Environmental groups welcomed the transparency measures but expressed disappointment that no binding reduction targets were set. “Monitoring is step one,” says Laura Brennan of the advocacy group Clear Air Alliance. “We need step two very soon.”

Industry representatives were more positive, noting that better data could help companies identify and fix leaks quickly, saving money while reducing emissions. Negotiators say discussions on reduction targets will continue at a follow-up meeting next year. For now, the flags outside the conference center came down on a note of cautious optimism.

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