Discussion on methane emission characteristics and cooperation directions for emission reduction in BRICS countries

doi:10.12006/j.issn.1673-1719.2025.092

Abstract

Abstract:

The impact of methane emissions on global warming has attracted widespread attention worldwide. As a significant source of global methane emissions, the BRICS countries play a crucial role in global climate governance through their emission reduction efforts. Based on the EDGAR database, a quantitative analysis of methane emission characteristics in BRICS countries from 1970 to 2023 was conducted, the Tapio decoupling model was employed to examine the decoupling relationship between methane emissions and economic development, and future cooperation suggestions in methane management among BRICS countries by combining existing policies were proposed in this study. The results show that the BRICS countries have contributed over one-third to global methane emissions, showing an upward trend with an average annual growth rate in the past decade exceeding the global average. Overall, BRICS countries demonstrate weak decoupling between methane emissions and economic growth, indicating synchronized growth with faster economic expansion. However, Brazil and Russia have not shown a decoupling trend, where economic development still closely linked to methane emissions. Regarding emission structure, BRICS methane emissions primarily originated from energy activities (29.5%), agricultural activities (47.0%), waste management (20.3%), and other sectors (3.2%) in 2023. From 1970 to 2023, methane emission intensity in all BRICS countries showed declining trends, with China achieving the fastest reduction rate, while India maintained the lowest per capita emissions. Although BRICS members have not established specific mandatory methane reduction targets, their recent strengthened cooperation in climate change presents opportunities. To fully leverage the BRICS cooperation mechanism and amplify climate, environmental, and economic benefits of methane mitigation, systematic collaboration was proposed through establishing a methane reduction working group, enhancing policy coordination, promoting technology sharing, and expanding financial support, thereby advancing global methane governance.

Key words: BRICS countries, Methane, Decoupling index, Cooperation on emission reduction

LI Ke-Xin, YANG Ru-Pu, LI Li-Ping, WANG Min. Discussion on methane emission characteristics and cooperation directions for emission reduction in BRICS countries[J]. Climate Change Research, 2025, 21(6): 807-817.

Figures/Tables 10

Table 1 State of division

Fig. 1 Global methane emissions from 1970 to 2023

Fig. 2 Global methane emissions in major countries from 1970 to 2023

Table 2 The decoupling status between methane emissions and economic growth in BRICS countries and typical developed countries

Fig. 3 Key methane emission sources in BRICS countries from 1990 to 2023

Table 3 Emission structure of BRICS countries by subsector in 2023

Fig. 4 Methane emission intensity in BRICS countries from 1970 to 2023

Fig. 5 Per capita methane emissions in BRICS countries from 1970 to 2023

Table 4 Methane emission control policy actions of BRICS countries

Table 5 Relevant joint statements and activities of the BRICS countries

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