These groups are fighting cow burps to slow methane emissions

When it comes to tackling climate change, carbon dioxide tends to steal the spotlight — and understandably so, given that it accounts for three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions.

For years, climate experts have been urging greater attention to a critical but often overlooked greenhouse gas: methane. Accounting for 16% of global emissions, methane is a significant contributor to climate change. Now, international development is beginning to take notice.

Methane is far more potent than CO2 in the short term, trapping substantially more heat per molecule. What makes methane especially critical to address now is its relatively brief atmospheric lifespan — around 12 years, compared to centuries for CO2. This also means that reducing methane emissions can deliver rapid climate benefits, significantly slowing the pace of global warming, experts say.