Ritesh Shisode
- The UN's Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) expanded to use satellites to monitor methane leaks from the coal and waste sectors globally.
- The satellite data exposed significant underreporting, identifying landfills in Secunderabad and Mumbai as among the world’s top "super-polluters."
- The system creates real-time accountability, offering India a chance for quick climate benefits through targeted interventions like waste segregation and methane capture.
The global fight against climate change is getting a major upgrade. The United Nations is now expanding its methane monitoring to include coal and waste sectors, two huge sources of emissions that often fly under the radar. This move comes at a crucial time, especially with recent data flagging several Indian landfills as some of the world’s biggest methane hotspots. It’s a wake-up call for how we handle urban waste and industrial accountability.
While carbon dioxide gets most of the headlines, methane is a silent but incredibly potent greenhouse gas, responsible for nearly a third of the global warming we see today. Because it packs such a punch in the short term, cutting methane leaks is one of the fastest ways we can slow down climate change. To tackle this, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has supercharged its Methane Alert and Response System (MARS). By using high-tech satellites to spot massive leaks from space, the system is moving beyond just oil and gas to keep a close eye on coal mines and trash sites worldwide.
Coal and Waste Under the Lens
The expansion is grounded in growing evidence that methane emissions from coal mining and landfills are substantial and underreported. UNEP’s system analyses thousands of satellite observations to identify emission plumes and trace them back to specific sources, including individual mines and waste facilities.
This shift is particularly important for countries like India, where coal remains a dominant energy source and waste management infrastructure struggles to keep pace with rapid urbanisation. According to recent estimates, India’s coal mines emitted over 2 million tonnes of methane in 2025, placing the country among the world’s leading emitters in this category.
Yet, a major issue persists: underreporting. Studies indicate that India’s officially reported methane emissions are significantly lower than independent estimates, highlighting gaps in monitoring and transparency.
Indian Landfills Among Global “Super-Emitters”
The urgency of the issue is underscored by recent satellite-based studies identifying Indian landfill sites among the world’s top methane emitters. Facilities in Secunderabad (Telangana) and Mumbai (Maharashtra) have been ranked among the top 25 global “super-polluters,” releasing methane at rates as high as 5.9 tonnes per hour.
These findings are part of a broader analysis of nearly 3,000 methane plumes detected across more than 700 waste sites globally. The data reveals a troubling pattern: rapidly growing urban centres, particularly in developing countries, are becoming hotspots for methane emissions due to poorly managed waste.
Methane emissions from landfills occur when organic waste such as food scraps and paper decomposes without oxygen. In cities where waste segregation is minimal and landfill systems are overloaded, these emissions can escalate rapidly. Experts warn that such sites not only contribute to climate change but also pose serious health risks to nearby communities.
Why Methane Matters Now
Methane’s short atmospheric lifespan, around 12 years, means that reducing its emissions can deliver quick climate benefits. Unlike carbon dioxide, which lingers for centuries, cutting methane can slow global warming in the near term. This makes it a strategic target for policymakers aiming to meet climate goals within the next decade.
However, global efforts remain uneven. While initiatives like the Global Methane Pledge aim to reduce emissions by 30 percent by 2030, major emitters such as India have not formally joined the agreement.
The expansion of UNEP’s alert system could help bridge this gap by increasing transparency and accountability. By publicly identifying emission sources, the system puts pressure on governments and industries to act, whether by improving waste management, capturing methane for energy use, or upgrading infrastructure.
Challenges and Opportunities for India
For India, the expanded monitoring system presents both a challenge and an opportunity. On one hand, it exposes the scale of emissions from coal and waste sectors, potentially inviting international scrutiny. On the other hand, it offers a roadmap for targeted intervention.
The waste sector, in particular, holds significant potential for emission reduction. Improved waste segregation, composting, and methane capture technologies could drastically cut emissions while generating energy and reducing pollution. Similarly, in the coal sector, technologies exist to capture methane released during mining and convert it into usable fuel.
The key lies in implementation. Experts argue that better data, stronger regulatory frameworks, and investment in technology are essential to address methane emissions effectively. Without these, the gap between reported and actual emissions will continue to widen.
A Turning Point in Climate Monitoring
The expansion of the UN’s methane alert system signals a broader shift in climate governance, from voluntary reporting to real-time, data-driven accountability. By leveraging satellite technology, the system reduces reliance on self-reported data and brings unprecedented transparency to global emissions.
For countries like India, this marks a turning point. The identification of local landfills as global methane hotspots is not just an environmental concern, it is a call to action. As climate impacts intensify, addressing methane emissions from coal and waste sectors will be critical in shaping a sustainable future.
In the end, the message is clear: what was once invisible is now being tracked from space. The question is no longer whether methane emissions can be monitored, but whether governments and industries are ready to act on the data.
