UNEP's Methane Alert and Response System (MARS): current status, new developments and case studies

UNEP's Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) is a satellite-based system for the detection and mitigation of methane emissions around the world. As part of the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), MARS is the first global system connecting satellite methane detection to transparent notification processes intended to trigger mitigation efforts. MARS harnesses state-of-the-art satellite data to identify major emissions, activate its partners to notify relevant stakeholders, and support and track progress toward mitigation.

During the year-long pilot phase, more than 600 plumes from the energy sector were detected with high-resolution satellites, and more than a hundred were notified. In December 2023, MARS entered the nominal phase with the launch of a data portal including information about the plumes detected and notified by MARS. In its current form, MARS is focused on the detection of strong point sources (~>1 ton/h) from the oil and gas production sector, but the system is expected to develop and integrate observations from new satellites as they become available and extend to the notification of smaller sources, also from other sectors such as coal mining, waste, or agriculture.

In this contribution, we will provide a brief overview of the MARS satellite-based plume detection and monitoring system, with the updates made since the launch of the nominal phase. Furthermore, we will describe some examples of real source detection and notification efforts and discuss the next steps planned for MARS in 2024.