This study investigates methane (CH₄) emission changes from 1990-2020 using atmospheric CH₄ concentration and isotopic composition (δ¹³C, δD). Analysis of temporal trends and latitudinal gradients reveals that emission reductions from oil and gas exploitation (ONG) stabilized atmospheric CH₄ growth in the late 1990s and early 2000s, while emissions from farmed animals, waste management, and coal mining increased CH₄ levels after 2006. The findings challenge existing emission inventories (EDGARv6, GAINSv4). Total fossil fuel emissions remained stable from 2000 to 2020, likely due to decreases in ONG emissions offsetting coal mining increases in China.

Naveen Chandra, Prabir K. Patra, Ryo Fujita, Lena Höglund-Isaksson, Taku Umezawa, Daisuke Goto, Shinji Morimoto, Bruce H. Vaughn, Thomas Röckmann