The geography factor: How environmental conditions shape methane monitoring from space

Methane observations from space are transforming emissions mitigation efforts. An expanding array of satellite sensors now provides data tailored to a wide range of user needs. For instance, flux mappers measure methane over large areas, aiding in the improvement of methane inventories, while point-source imagers deliver high-resolution facility-level data, supporting rapid mitigation actions. Alongside the growing number of sensors, significant efforts have been made to enhance data accessibility. These efforts are proving successful, with an increasing number of potential users—including governments, NGOs, and journalists—exploring ways to integrate satellite methane data into their work. However, to use this data effectively, new users must first navigate the challenge of understanding each data product’s characteristics and determining its suitability for their specific tasks.

Integrating spaceborne methane observations into emission mitigation efforts is a crucial task. To reduce methane emissions, 159 countries have signed the Global Methane Pledge,  a voluntary commitment to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. Spaceborne methane instruments are critical for achieving this global target, as they provide new understanding of global methane emissions, bring transparency and accountability to the process and, often, provide the opportunity for rapid repair of large unintentional methane emissions. However, despite their great value and unique vantage point, satellite efficacy will be limited in certain regions by environmental factors like cloud cover, low light conditions during winter, and terrain properties. 

This report maps the regional variations of environmental conditions that can make satellites less effective for monitoring methane emissions. It highlights that, for example,  many regions in the tropics are affected by persistent cloud cover, while regions in high latitudes receive low levels of  light for several months, hindering methane observations from some sensors due to insufficient signal levels. The combined effect of these environmental factors is that in certain regions, some satellites will either be unable to observe methane emissions or will have much reduced efficacy, compared to regions with more favourable conditions,  featured in many proof-of-concept studies.This reduced efficacy, might make specific products unfit for specific uses. 

The report also estimates that 30% of upstream coal and oil and gas infrastructure lies in regions that might be challenging to observe with spaceborne instruments due to cloud cover, low light conditions, dark surfaces and mountainous terrain.