IEA Proposes Voluntary Methane Grading Framework

The International Energy Agency is proposing a voluntary framework to assess and verify methane performance at upstream crude oil and natural gas assets, using common criteria to compare results. The recommendations, published on 9 November 2026 in its report Building a Voluntary Near-Zero Intensity Methane Marketplace, do not constitute an operating marketplace.

Existing voluntary initiatives use different methods, definitions, grades and boundaries, according to the IEA. The agency says these differences make comparisons harder for buyers, while independent verification of emissions is required by only some certification schemes.

Under the proposal, each asset would have two ratings disclosed together, both running from A to F. One would measure methane intensity; the other would assess the reliability of the emissions information supplied by the operator.

For intensity, the IEA recommends comparing an asset’s methane emissions from production with the energy content of the oil and gas it markets. Its proposed near-zero threshold is below 0.1%. Assets meeting that threshold would qualify for either an A or a B intensity rating.

The separate data-quality assessment would examine how emissions are quantified, the frequency of measurements at a site and the extent of measurement coverage. According to the IEA’s proposal, an operator lacking verification by an independent third party would receive an F on data quality.

Production emissions would be the initial focus. The IEA says coverage could expand to gathering, compression, processing and downstream operations, but only if the marketplace focused on production demonstrates viability.

Participation would remain voluntary under the proposed framework. The report sets out options for governments to support supply and demand according to their national circumstances, while stating that the marketplace would not require governments to adopt those measures.

The IEA also examines a scenario in which purchasers in major importing economies require oil and gas whose upstream methane intensity does not exceed 0.1%. Under that condition, the agency estimates that worldwide methane emissions could decline by about 17 million tonnes, with an additional 36 billion cubic metres of gas becoming available. Those figures describe a conditional scenario, not results achieved by the proposed marketplace.

To complete the framework, the IEA recommends establishing a technical working group. Its proposed work includes examining practical arrangements for connecting verified methane performance with volumes sold, commercial transactions or prices.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.