05:59 AM EDT, 03/13/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Despite near-record methane emissions from the energy sector in 2023, full implementation of newly announced pledges on methane would deliver the majority of needed emissions cuts to achieve climate targets, the International Energy Agency said in the latest update of its Global Methane Tracker.

The IEA's analysis found that the production and use of fossil fuels resulted in nearly 120 million tonnes of methane emissions in 2023, a small rise from 2022 levels. The top 10 emitting countries were responsible for around 80 million tonnes of methane emissions from fossil fuels in 2023.

To limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, methane emissions from fossil fuels must drop by 75% this decade, according to the analysis.

If all methane pledges made during the COP28 climate summit and around that time are implemented in full and on time, it would be enough to cut methane emissions from fossil fuels by 50% by 2030, according to the IEA.