Reducing methane emissions
Methane is a greenhouse gas that is over 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide on a 20-year timescale. Global methane emissions are responsible for about 30% of the rise in temperature to date and half a million premature deaths globally each year through air pollution.
Methane is also a short-lived climate pollutant. It stays in the atmosphere for about a decade, unlike other gases, like carbon dioxide, that stay for up to 200 years. As a result, cutting methane emissions can quickly lower their atmospheric concentrations and help fight global warming in the near term. Strong, rapid, and sustained methane reductions are critical to addressing climate change and improving our health and air quality.
As part of Canada’s Climate Competitiveness Strategy, putting place methane regulations are a key part. They are designed to provide certainty for investors, support responsible resource development, and drive investment in clean energy and technology.
Since 2018, when Canada’s first oil and gas methane regulations were finalized, Canada's methane mitigation sector has been growing to 136 companies. An independent estimate suggests that actions companies take to comply with the regulations would create approximately 34,000 jobs in Canada from 2027 to 2040.
Canada’s methane emissions
Total methane emissions in 2023
Long description
| Sector | Percentage (%) of total |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | 28% |
| Waste | 19% |
| Oil and gas | 48% |
| Other sources | 6% |
What we’re doing
Canada has made significant progress in reducing methane emissions. We are on track to reduce domestic methane emissions by more than 35% by 2030, compared to what levels were in 2020. Through ambitious regulations, enhanced measurement and transparency, and international partnerships, Canada has the knowledge and expertise to lead the charge on mitigating methane.
- December 2025: finalized Enhanced Methane Regulations for the oil and gas sector and new Landfill Methane Regulations
- the Enhanced Methane Regulations are estimated to reduce oil and gas methane by 72% below 2012 levels by 2030
- they strengthen national regulations that were put in place in 2018
- the new Landfill Methane Regulations are estimated to reduce waste sector methane emissions by 42% below 2019 levels by 2030
- the Enhanced Methane Regulations are estimated to reduce oil and gas methane by 72% below 2012 levels by 2030
- November 2025: joined the UK and other countries in committing to achieve near zero methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector
- June 2025: joined the EU as a co-convener of the Global Methane Pledge
- this leadership role supports over 100 countries to work collectively towards reducing human-caused methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030
- March 2022: launched the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan
- reducing methane emissions is a key part of reaching the emissions reduction to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050
Cleaner oil and gas sector
Mitigating methane is a critical and cost-effective way to reduce emissions in energy production. We were one of the first countries in the world to regulate methane emissions from new and existing oil and gas facilities in 2018. Our experience has shown that methane regulations can greatly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutant emissions from the oil and gas sector without harming the economy. In 2021, the government set a target of reducing Canada’s oil and gas methane emissions by 75 per cent by 2030. Countries are aiming to reduce the carbon intensity of imported fossil fuels. Tackling oil and gas methane emissions gives Canada a competitive advantage as we build one of the strongest economies in the G7.
Recent action
Other actions
- Oil and gas methane regulations (2018 regulations)
- Emissions Reduction Fund
- Clean Fuel Regulations
- Output-Based Pricing System
Sustainable agriculture
Agriculture plays an essential role in the economy, and Canada’s farmers help feed the world. Canadian farmers will remain key partners in developing and implementing solutions to tackle climate change and build resilience.
We are committed to supporting Canadian farmers and industry partners who are taking action to reduce emissions, sequester carbon and make their operations more sustainable, productive and competitive.
Recent action
- November 2023: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada launched the Agricultural Methane Reduction Challenge to reduce methane emissions produced by cattle.
Capturing landfill methane emissions
Capturing and destroying methane emissions from landfills provides Canadian municipalities with economic and health benefits. The new Landfill Methane Regulations offer a consistent regulatory approach to reducing landfill methane emissions across the country. Owners and operators of regulated landfills will be required to regularly monitor the landfill surface, landfill gas recovery wells, and equipment used to control landfill methane emissions. This will allow for early detection of methane emissions and leaks that must be repaired within specified timelines.
Recent action
- December 2025: Landfill Methane Regulations
Other actions
Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System
Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System is also helping to create economic opportunities and incentives for methane reductions in various sectors, including agriculture and waste.
- Draft Offset Protocol: Reducing manure methane emissions
- Offset Protocol: Landfill methane recovery and destruction
- Offset protocol: Reducing enteric methane emissions from beef cattle
Measurement, research, innovation and reporting
Canada is a global leader in developing and implementing innovative technologies to detect, track and address methane emissions. Atmospheric measurement studies have significantly improved our understanding of total oil and gas methane emissions in recent years.
To support these efforts and improve knowledge sharing, we launched the Methane Centre of Excellence in March 2024. Canada is also a partner of the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO). The IMEO is a global initiative that provides methane data from all available sources.
We will continue to develop and share innovations in methane science as accurate measurement and quantification of methane is critical to achieving Canada’s methane targets.
Measuring and reporting methane emissions
Supporting Canadian science and research
Our scientists work closely with academia and other experts to study and monitor methane emissions.
- Hybrid bottom-up and top-down framework resolves discrepancies in Canada’s oil and gas methane inventories
- Estimating methane emissions from the waste sector in Southern Ontario using atmospheric measurements
- Ground-Based Mobile Measurements to Track Urban Methane Emissions from Natural Gas in 12 Cities across Eight Countries
- Creating measurement-based oil and gas sector methane inventories using source-resolved aerial surveys
- Hybrid Framework for Tracking Canada's Oil and Gas Methane Emissions
- Chasing after methane’s ultra-emitters
- Investigation of the Spatial Distribution of Methane Sources in the Greater Toronto Area Using Mobile Gas Monitoring Systems | Environmental Science & Technology
- Eight-Year Estimates of Methane Emissions from Oil and Gas Operations in Western Canada Are Nearly Twice Those Reported in Inventories
- Analysis of atmospheric CH4 in Canadian Arctic and estimation of the regional CH4 fluxes
- Quantification of methane sources in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region of Alberta by aircraft mass balance
- Where the Methane Is—Insights from Novel Airborne LiDAR Measurements Combined with Ground Survey Data
Supporting clean technology development
As global momentum to reduce methane emissions continues to grow, Canada’s clean technology innovations will provide solutions needed to help accelerate the pace.
Supporting global methane emissions reductions
We are providing global leadership and support to tackle methane emissions around the world. From innovative clean tech solutions, financial assistance to developing countries and participation in international climate initiatives to help other countries reduce their methane emissions, we are helping to ensure a cleaner, healthier planet.
In June 2025, Canada became the co-convener of the Global Methane Pledge with the European Union to advance work in reducing global methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030 collectively.