Turkmenistan has begun repairing significant methane leaks from its aging oil and gas infrastructure, marking a notable development in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to recent United Nations data. Methane, also known as natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas with a warming effect approximately 80 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period and is responsible for about a quarter of current global heating.

The country, previously identified as the world’s largest source of methane mega-leaks, has plugged eight major leaks by addressing corroded pipelines, faulty wells, and malfunctioning flares. These efforts represent the first tangible steps toward mitigating emissions from Turkmenistan’s two main fossil fuel fields, which in 2022 alone emitted methane equivalent to more global warming than the entire carbon dioxide emissions of the United Kingdom—a figure experts have described as staggering.

The UN’s Methane Alert and Response System (Mars), which uses satellite data to detect potential methane leaks worldwide, issued 192 alerts pertaining to Turkmenistan over the past year. The country has responded with on-the-ground information and some remediation plans to approximately 20% of these alerts. Turkmenistan was responsible for three of the six largest methane leaks detected globally in recent months. In comparison, other major methane emitters, including the United States, Iran, Russia, and China, received numerous alerts but did not report any leak repairs during the same period.

Turkmenistan’s engagement on this issue increased notably following heightened international scrutiny revealed in 2023, when global monitoring exposed the scale of its emissions. Sources in the capital, Ashgabat, indicated that this exposure was a key factor prompting the government to collaborate with foreign partners, including the United Nations and the European Union. In December 2023, Turkmenistan became a signatory to the global methane pledge, joining a coalition committed to reducing methane emissions—a move that came two years after the pledge's initial launch.

With vast natural gas reserves and a significant role as a supplier to China, Turkmenistan had previously seemed to deprioritize methane leaks due to the large volumes of gas it produces. However, fixes started in November 2024 with a repair to a faulty well, and most recently, a corroded pipeline was addressed in March 2026. Turkmenistan's foreign ministry and state-owned companies Turkmenoil and Turkmengaz have not responded to requests for comment on these developments.

Globally, the importance of responding to methane leaks has been underscored by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who has urged countries to address at least 80% of such alerts to curb the fast-acting climate impacts of methane. The Mars system continuously monitors sites flagged for leaks until emissions cease, supporting governments and companies with technical knowledge and mitigation resources.

While Turkmenistan’s initial leak repairs have been characterized by UN officials as an “incredible first step,” significant challenges remain in fully addressing the country’s methane emissions. Continued international cooperation, funding, and technical assistance are expected to play critical roles in further reducing methane’s contribution to global warming.