BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 19. UNEP says eight
methane sources in Turkmenistan have been successfully mitigated
and remain under monitoring.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) told Trend this in an
exclusive response to questions about the latest progress in
addressing methane emissions from Turkmenistan’s oil and gas
infrastructure.
"These mitigated methane sources originated from pipelines,
wells and flares. Emissions at pipelines were caused by leaks in
corroded portions of gas flowlines. Several emissions were
associated with unlit flaring at gas wells that resulted in direct
venting of the gas. Finally, other emissions resulted from leaks
that were caused by well integrity or equipment issues," the
organization said.
UNEP estimates that the eight sources had emitted more than
27,000 tonnes of methane before they were addressed.
"UNEP estimates that the eight sources in Turkmenistan had
emitted over 27,000 tonnes of methane before they were addressed.
The near-term climate impact of these emissions was equivalent to
the climate impact of over 500,000 passenger vehicles driven for
one year," the organization said.
At the same time, UNEP noted the effectiveness of mitigation
measures is assessed through several sources of evidence, including
satellite observations conducted after repairs.
"Verification of methane mitigation via the Methane Alert and
Response System (MARS) requires multiple lines of evidence. A case
can be considered for verification when stakeholders have received
an alert of emissions through MARS, taken action on the ground, and
provided detailed feedback to UNEP on the nature of emissions and
mitigation steps taken," UNEP said.
The organization said its technical experts then compare
information provided by stakeholders with satellite
observations.
"UNEP technical experts then review the reported circumstances
and timeline against available satellite data to assess whether the
reported mitigation is consistent with operational information and
observations from space," it said.
UNEP added that the monitoring continues after mitigation
measures are implemented, with the organization confirming the
result only when follow-up observations show that emissions are no
longer detected at the relevant location.
"Furthermore, UNEP continues to monitor the source using
high-resolution satellite observations. Mitigation is confirmed
only when follow-up observations show that emissions are no longer
detected at the location in question," the organization said.
A mitigated source also remains under observation to identify
any possible recurrence and enable further action.
"A mitigated emission source remains under monitoring so that,
if emissions recur, UNEP can identify the re-emission and quickly
follow up with stakeholders for further action," UNEP said.
The organization outlined that its International Methane
Emissions Observatory (IMEO) has been working directly with
stakeholders in Turkmenistan since 2023.
"This engagement has built strong lines of communication to
share MARS alerts directly with individuals in the government and
companies who are positioned to take mitigation action," UNEP
said.
According to the organization, cooperation with international
partners has also contributed to capacity building in methane
emissions management.
"Beyond this, IMEO has worked with and alongside partners –
including GIZ, World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank – to
build capacity on methane emissions management that supports action
on MARS alerts," it said.
UNEP also outlined a potential next stage of cooperation with
Turkmenistan, noting that it has proposed a joint program focused
on comprehensive methane emissions reduction.
"UNEP, in collaboration with UNOPS and UNECE, has proposed a UN
Joint Programme for Methane Emissions Reduction in Turkmenistan,
which would provide the framework for a comprehensive emissions
reduction program between the Government and international
partners," the organization said.
According to UNEP, the proposed program is being reviewed by the
government of Turkmenistan.
"The Programme is currently awaiting approval from the
Government. If formally approved, it would mark the first UN Joint
Programme on methane emissions reduction and an important
commitment by a government to advance the global methane agenda,"
UNEP said.
Beyond the MARS alerts and mitigation of individual sources,
UNEP also pointed to longer-term efforts focused on methane
measurement, reporting and verification.
"In addition to MARS, UNEP’s IMEO manages the Oil and Gas
Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0). OGMP 2.0 is the leading global
standard for measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV), with
more than 160 member companies representing nearly 45% of global
oil and gas production," the organization said.
According to UNEP, OGMP 2.0 provides companies with a framework
for comprehensive methane measurement and reporting.
"OGMP 2.0 outlines a framework for companies to comprehensively
measure and report on their methane emissions in a credible,
verifiable manner. IMEO actively engages with all companies where
possible, including in Turkmenistan, to join OGMP 2.0 and support
efforts towards achieving "Gold Standard" reporting," UNEP
said.
Meanwhile, the methane mitigation efforts come amid a broader
environmental agenda in Turkmenistan, where environmental
protection, rational use of natural resources and climate-related
cooperation have remained among the areas of focus in recent state
and international activities.
In June 2026, Ashgabat hosted an international scientific and
practical conference dedicated to World Environment Day, bringing
together representatives of government bodies, the UN and other
international and regional organizations. The event highlighted
Turkmenistan’s National Strategy on Climate Change, its
contribution to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and its
accession to the Global Methane Pledge.
Environmental cooperation has also remained a focus of
Turkmenistan’s international engagement. In August, the country
hosted a scientific and practical conference on protecting the
Caspian Sea ecosystem and sustainable development, with
participants discussing environmental monitoring, rational use of
natural resources, including gas reserves in the Caspian, climate
change and the development of international cooperation. The event
also highlighted Turkmenistan’s initiatives on climate change
technologies and its accession to the Global Methane Pledge.
More recently, in early September, Turkmenistan and the UN
Development Programme held a national seminar in Ashgabat on
updating the country’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action
Plans for 2026-2035. The discussions covered biodiversity
conservation and sustainable development, as well as the country’s
reporting under the Convention on Biological Diversity. In
addition, it included the rational use of natural resources.
For reference, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United
Nations’ leading global environmental authority, working with
governments and other partners on environmental protection, climate
action and sustainable development. In the area of methane
emissions, UNEP’s work includes the International Methane Emissions
Observatory (IMEO), which provides data and analysis to support
governments and companies in identifying and reducing methane
emissions.
A key part of this work is the Methane Alert and Response System
(MARS), a satellite-based system launched by UNEP at the UN Climate
Change Conference (COP27) in 2022. MARS uses satellite data to
identify and analyze major methane emission sources and notifies
governments and companies so they can take mitigation measures. The
system also tracks the progress of those measures and supports
verification of mitigation through further observations.
MARS is therefore designed not only to detect methane emissions,
but also to connect satellite-based information with practical
action on the ground. Its process includes detecting and
attributing major emission sources, notifying relevant
stakeholders, supporting mitigation action and tracking the
results.
