The Climate Threat COP31

Satellites reveal massive methane leaks in Turkey

Turkey is the world’s fifth-largest emitter of methane gas from waste, according to satellite data reviewed by Reuters. At a landfill outside Istanbul, an average of 7.4 tons of methane leaks into the atmosphere every hour—even though gas is being captured there for electricity generation.

“There is enormous potential to reduce emissions by addressing the largest landfills,” researcher Tia Scarpelli told the news agency.

Methane emissions from the waste sector have risen by nearly 25 percent over the last decade. On Monday, the UN climate conference, COP31, begins in Turkey.

UN Chief: We can no longer debate endlessly

In an interview with the AP, UN Secretary-General António Guterres describes the COP31 climate summit—which begins on Monday—as a “moment of truth.”

“We can no longer wait; we can no longer have endless discussions where everyone tries to shift the blame onto someone else. Everyone must do more. Everyone must do more now.”

He notes that long-term strategies are required to protect the planet, but that such strategies are not present in every political system.

“It is not the world that has failed. It is the political leadership that has failed,” he says.