Turkmenistan starts fixing massive methane mega leaks

scienceAug 31, 2026412,439

Turkmenistan has begun repairing ageing oil and gas infrastructure and has plugged eight super-emitting methane leaks, the UN’s Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) says. MARS sent Turkmenistan 192 satellite-detected methane plume alerts in the last year; the country accounted for three of the six worst leaks detected in the past six months and nine of the top 50. Turkmenistan responded with on-the-ground information for roughly 20 percent of MARS alerts and carried out fixes by repairing corroded pipes, faulty wells and failing flares. The UN’s MARS programme manager Meghan Demeter called the mitigation cases proof that satellite data can drive rapid action, while noting eight fixes are only an “incredible first step” and many sources remain. The Guardian’s 2023 reporting identified Turkmenistan as the worst country for methane mega-leaks and sources there said that scrutiny helped prompt engagement with foreign partners. For context, the article notes methane traps about 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide and contributes roughly 25 percent of current global heating, so quick leak fixes can deliver rapid climate benefits. The piece contrasts Turkmenistan’s response with other major emitters: the United States received 138 MARS alerts but responded to none and fixed no leaks in the past year; Iran, Russia and China also reported no responses.

George Monbiot

@georgemonbiot.bsky.social

It's not often you can pinpoint real, positive change a journalist has caused. But as Turkmeni sources state, @dpcarrington.bsky.social's persistent and probing coverage of this issue has been critical to a change of policy, with massive implications. Big congrats www.theguardian.com/environment/...

183445d ago

slowlydrowning.bsky.social12

Great work. Looks like we need the same for the US(eless), Russia, Iran and China. The usual suspects who seems to seem happy to take down the planet as long as they stay powerful & wealthy. The impacts trivialise a lot of other efforts people are making. This is a scandal.

Pete Ambrose8

This really is a great example of how speaking truth to power can make postitive change. Keep up the good work at @theguardian.com please!

psbaker10.bsky.social7

I think you can claim something similar for the current level of rewilding activity in the UK since ~2015.

social ∆ agent5

As an American, it's odd to see a journalist from a major outlet doing work that results in positive social change.

marc konijn4

Well done mister Carrington!! And of course, not everybody has a pen. But we all have a ‘sword’ - actions matters. We just have to stand up, speak out, at all levels!

epicurious.bsky.social4

Now we just need to deal with the worst methane polluter: America.

Quoting this

Eoghan Daltun 🌍171

If all the media were as committed to uncovering the truth about issues driving planetary collapse, we'd be in a FAR better place.

marc konijn26

👇👇 Kijk, strijd loont! Je weet nooit hoeveel en waar en wanneer, of überhaupt of er iets gebeurt. Maar het kan iets in beweging zetten. Heel cool

Akshat Rathi16

Yes, good journalism can make a difference. Congrats to all involved. bsky.app/profile/geor...

Kevin Pratt14

@adapalmer.bsky.social Some global Good News to go with your recent personal Good News (Congratulations!)

Mikko Tuomi9

Journalism can make a difference, if journalists are persistent and honest.

Janine O'Keeffe2

Considering how economic & power inequality undermines journalism, this is an achievement! Congratulations @dpcarrington.bsky.social

Hettyt2

Het kán wél, de aanhouder wint

Bill McKibben

@billmckibben.bsky.social

Every once in a while journalism works. Turkmenistan is going to start plugging its methane leaks, thanks to excellent reporting from the Guardian and @dpcarrington.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/environment/...

25744d ago

Quoting this

Stephen Jacob Smith71

The Soviet Union was a climate catastrophe

Taylor Noakes7

Now if only we could get #Alberta to follow Turkmenistan’s fine example #cdnpoli

Dr. Jenny Morber6

Good to see a story of things working every once in a while

troy farah4

i feel like journalism would work more if people read past the headlines and didn’t get their news from tiktok and ai summaries… but maybe i’m biased

Kell Compost 😷3

Yaaaaaaaaaay Methane is a short-lived but very potent greenhouse gas

Damian Carrington

@dpcarrington.bsky.social

Now, in response to alerts from the UN's #Methane Alert and Response System, Turkmenistan has started plugging the leaks There's much more to do, but it's an "incredible first step" The 2nd biggest mega-leaker, the US, is doing nothing @unep.org 3/3 www.theguardian.com/environment/...

12745d ago

bugdrcpt.bsky.social3

Come on USA.. sort yr s… out!

Earl Russell LD1

Great reporting. The UK as Co Chair of the CCAC could & should do more on global methane emissions. One idea could be to make use of pinpoint satellite data by offering practical support for fixing known leaks. This in turn could help with our support for a just transition for our oil & gas workers.

gazsp1

Of course they’re not. As climate change is fake and Drumpf is scared of windmills.

Justin Mikulka

@justinmikulka.bsky.social

"Turkmenistan responded to about 20% of the alerts with on-the-ground information about the leaks and potential plans to fix them. In contrast, the US was sent the second highest number of alerts – 138 – but responded to none and had fixed no leaks in the last year"

7045d ago

Natalie Bennett

@nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social

#GoodNews on the #ClimateEmergency, because we all need some www.theguardian.com/environment/...

4744d ago

Dr Paul Dorfman

@drpauldorfman.bsky.social

‘Breakthrough’ as Turkmenistan starts fixing ‘mindboggling’ methane mega-leaks Secretive state begins repairs on ageing facilities after being revealed as worst country for leaks of potent greenhouse gas www.theguardian.com/environment/...

2645d ago

Akshat Rathi

@akshatrathi.bsky.social

Great to see Turkmenistan continuing to make slow progress on methane. Bloomberg Green had a big feature about the country's giant gassy problem in 2021, which is still among the best stories to read about the problem. www.bloomberg.com/features/top...

2144d ago

fife4europe #FBPE #RejoinEU

@fife4europe.bsky.social

1/2 Plugging mega-methane leaks in Turkmenistan proves that satellite monitoring drives real climate action. Stopping corroded pipe venting is the quickest, most cost-effective way to curb short-term global heating. Why are other nations still ignoring UN satellite alerts? 🛰️ #ClimateAction

1244d ago

Ashis Basu

@ashis.bsky.social

Methane, also called natural or fossil gas, is a potent greenhouse gas. It traps 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide and causes 25% of global heating today. @dpcarrington.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/environment/...

844d ago

Andy Scollick

@andyscollick.bsky.social

That's one giant leap for Turkmenistan, one small step for humankind (to paraphrase Neil Armstrong)

744d ago

MTH

@megt.bsky.social

Turkmenistan started plugging its methane leaks spewing from its ageing oil and gas facilities following The Guardian exposé in 2023 which identified the secretive and authoritarian country as the worst nation for methane mega-leaks. 🌎 www.theguardian.com/environment/...

844d ago

Chris Bataille

@chrisbataille.bsky.social

Also, some positive news on the global methane front, with Turkmenistan now moving on its huge super emitter events. ‘Breakthrough’ as Turkmenistan starts fixing ‘mindboggling’ methane mega-leaks www.theguardian.com/environment/...

645d ago

Pete Ambrose

@born-to-re-wild.bsky.social

A good news story. The UN methane monitoring programme MARS has identified major methane leaks around the world and engaged with states to start reducing them. Luckily I don't think its yet sensitive enough to pick up the hotspots in my house after a night at Bengal Spice

245d ago

PeppyPanda 🐼 - Uplifting and good news

@peppypanda.com

Great news for our planet! Turkmenistan has sealed 8 major methane leaks, marking a significant stride in cutting some of the most damaging greenhouse gas emissions. The UN confirms these repairs are already delivering real reductions! 🌍🛠️ #ClimateAction #MethaneReduction

144d ago

TC Won't Give In To Lies

@tcatinreality.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy

Sometimes #ClimateAction is as simple as fixing leaks. Real progress here, but much more needs to be done. ‘Breakthrough’ as Turkmenistan starts fixing ‘mindboggling’ methane mega-leaks https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/31/turkmenistan-methane-leaks-un-alerts-mars

45d ago

1 source

theguardian.com'Breakthrough' as Turkmenistan starts fixing 'mindboggling' methane mega-leaks

Turkmenistan starts fixing massive methane mega leaksscience US excludes Pennsylvania measles deaths from national countsscience Was Pluto’s 2006 demotion a mistake?science

Turkmenistan starts fixing massive methane mega leaks

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