Dutch scientists develop app to track global methane leaks

Dutch scientists have launched a new app that utilizes satellite data to detect and map methane leaks worldwide, providing a critical tool for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions. The technology is based on data from the Tropomi instrument, a Dutch-designed sensor mounted on a European satellite, capable of identifying methane concentrations in the atmosphere.

The app, developed by researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON) in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Copernicus, enables real-time tracking of methane emissions from industrial and natural sources. “This app can identify methane emissions from known locations but also detect rare events, such as the recent large methane release from the Mount Fentale volcano in Ethiopia,” Copernicus said in a statement. The methane plume from the African volcano was first detected on Jan. 31.

Methane (CH4) is the second-largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide (CO2). While methane occurs naturally, human activities, such as oil and gas extraction, coal mining, and waste management, are major contributors to rising emissions.

“The development of tools and methods to detect these methane plumes is the first step toward reducing emissions,” said Bram Maasakkers, a researcher at SRON. The app focuses on large-scale methane sources, utilizing satellite measurements that range from one to 14 days old. The collected data is expected to be useful for governments, energy companies, and environmental agencies in their efforts to curb emissions.

The Tropomi instrument, part of the European Sentinel-5P satellite, has previously detected leaks from oil and gas fields in regions such as Turkmenistan, the United States, and Russia. “With this app, we are giving researchers and policymakers a powerful tool to pinpoint and address major methane leaks,” SRON stated.

While industrial emissions are a primary focus, the app does not track agricultural sources such as livestock emissions. Cattle farming remains one of the largest sources of methane globally, but its emissions are more diffuse and harder to detect using satellite technology. The primary goal of the app is to locate high-concentration methane leaks that can be addressed through regulatory measures and industry intervention.

One of the key advantages of the new tool is its ability to distinguish between continuous emissions from industrial sources and one-time events, such as volcanic activity or accidental pipeline leaks. “The ability to differentiate between persistent and sporadic emissions will help authorities and companies implement targeted solutions,” Maasakkers said.

Methane leaks have been a growing concern in global climate discussions. In 2021, more than 100 countries signed the Global Methane Pledge, committing to reduce methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030. The new app is expected to support these efforts by providing more accurate and timely data on emissions sources.