Satellite-based Detection and Quantification of Methane Emissions from Energy and Waste Sectors in Iran

Methane is the second most potent anthropogenic source greenhouse gas (GHG), with a global warming potential of approximately 84 times that of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Methane accounts for nearly one-third of current global warming, and its emission mitigations are critical actions for slowing down global warming in the short time period. In Iran, methane emissions from the energy and waste sectors significantly contribute to the country's total GHG emissions. According on the report of the International Energy Agency (IEA) in 2024, oil and gas (O&G) production in Iran resulted in the release of approximately 6 million metric tons of methane, ranking the country among the top three global emitters. Based on limited data, it was previously estimated that 3.84 million metric of methane is released from Iran’s waste sector. However, with limited data and measurement-based campaigns, these estimates need refinements. National inventories further highlight substantial emissions from waste management practices, underscoring the need for effective mitigation strategies, which at the first step requires framing the level of emissions nationwide.

This study utilizes satellite remote sensing data, generated by UNEP's IMEO (United Nations Environment Programme International Methane Emissions Observatory) through its Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) and available via its Eye on Methane data platform, to quantify methane emissions from O&G and waste-related activities in Iran. Methane quantifications were derived by integrating data from multiple satellite platforms, including the Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) operated by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Sentinel-5P and Sentinel-2 from the European Space Agency (ESA), Landsat (jointly operated by NASA and the US Geological Survey), and the Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMAP) of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). A total of 110 emission sources from O&G infrastructures were identified and visually verified through Google Earth, subsequently integrated into the MARS system for continuous monitoring. This study provides nationwide observations of methane emissions from top emitters, which can be used for reporting and emission mitigation in Iran.