Turkmenistan has initiated efforts to repair major methane leaks escaping from its aging oil and gas infrastructure, according to data released by the United Nations. The Central Asian nation has successfully sealed eight significant leaks by repairing corroded pipes, faulty wells, and malfunctioning flares. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas that traps heat 80 times more effectively than carbon dioxide, currently accounts for approximately 25% of global warming. The UN Methane Alert and Response System identified Turkmenistan as a critical concern, detecting 192 methane plumes from the country over the preceding year and identifying three of the world’s six worst leaks within the most recent six-month period.
The breakthrough follows increased international scrutiny of Turkmenistan’s emissions. News reports in 2023 highlighted that Turkmenistan was the worst-performing country for methane mega-leaks, with subsequent analysis revealing that methane emissions from the nation’s two primary fossil fuel fields produced more global heating than the entire carbon emissions of the United Kingdom. These findings prompted Turkmenistan’s government to engage with international partners including the United Nations, the European Union, and other institutions. The country formally joined the global methane pledge later that year and began repair operations starting in November 2024.
While characterizing the repairs as an important initial step, UN officials noted that considerably more work remains. The response rate to alerts has gradually increased on a monthly basis, with Turkmenistan addressing approximately 20% of detected emissions notifications through investigation and repair planning. Turkmenistan’s response contrasts with several other major economies. The United States, which received the second-highest number of alerts at 138, has not responded to any of them or completed any repairs during the period under review, with international engagement on the issue ceasing under the current administration. Iran, Russia, and China similarly failed to respond to any alerts.
Globally, the UN methane alert system has contributed to 43 leaks being sealed across multiple countries. Kazakhstan, another former Soviet republic with aging fossil fuel infrastructure, has also successfully stopped eight leaks despite receiving fewer overall alerts. Other nations showing stronger commitment include Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, all maintaining 100% response rates to methane alerts. UN leadership has set a target for countries to respond to 80% of detected methane plumes as part of broader climate mitigation efforts.
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