Methane Alert and Response System (MARS)

Methane Alert and Response System (MARS)

The United Nations Environment Programme recently expanded the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) to include coal mines and waste-management sectors in addition to oil and gas facilities. MARS is a satellite-based global monitoring system designed to detect major methane emission hotspots in near real time using artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and atmospheric data analysis.

The system operates under the International Methane Emissions Observatory and was officially launched during COP27. It uses data from more than 35 satellites, including the Sentinel-5P and NASA’s EMIT mission, to identify methane plumes, trace emission sources, notify authorities, and monitor corrective action.

Methane is considered one of the most dangerous greenhouse gases because it traps nearly 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Although methane remains in the atmosphere for a shorter duration than CO₂, reducing methane emissions is regarded as one of the fastest ways to slow near-term global warming and support the 1.5°C climate target.