Methane Alert and Response System (MARS)

Why in News?

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has announced the expansion of its Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) to include coal mines and waste facilities after satellite analysis identified a landfill in India among the world’s three largest methane-emitting sites.

About the Expansion

The announcement was made on 4 May 2026 during a high-level methane event hosted by France under its G7 presidency.

The expanded monitoring system will now track methane emissions from:

• Coal mines
• Landfills and waste facilities

Earlier, the system primarily focused on oil and gas infrastructure.

Methane Alert and Response System (MARS)

MARS was launched in 2023 by UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO). The system uses satellite data, artificial intelligence, scientific analysis to detect large methane emission events, also known as “super-emitters.”

MARS currently utilizes data from more than 35 satellites to identify methane leaks and emission hotspots globally.

Functioning of MARS

Once a methane super-emitter is detected:

• Alerts are sent to governments and industries concerned
• Authorities are encouraged to take mitigation measures
• The system monitors whether corrective action has been taken and whether emissions decline over time

Since its launch in January 2023, MARS has reportedly helped identify and mitigate 41 methane super-emitter sources across 11 countries.

Kanjurmarg Landfill

A recent UNEP analysis published in April 2026 identified two landfills — one in Chile and another in India — among the world’s three largest methane-emitting sites.

The Indian site corresponds to the Kanjurmarg landfill.

Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0

Until now, MARS mainly monitored facilities linked to UNEP’s Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0). 

Significance of Methane Monitoring

Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas with a warming potential significantly greater than carbon dioxide over the short term.

Major global sources include:

• Fossil fuel production
• Coal mining
• Agriculture
• Waste management

Enhanced methane monitoring is important for:

• Climate change mitigation
• Improving waste management
• Reducing industrial emissions
• Supporting global climate targets.