News

Global Methane Crisis: 90% of Leaks Alerts Ignored, UN Reveals

Despite major advances in methane emission detection, a new alert from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reveals an alarming fact: nearly 90% of satellite alerts identifying major methane leaks receive no effective response from governments or companies.

Methane (CH₄), one of the most powerful greenhouse gases, has 80 times more impact on global warming than carbon dioxide (CO₂) over a 20-year period. Scientists highlight that rapid methane mitigation is one of the most effective actions to slow global warming in the coming decades.

However, the global response remains far below what is needed. According to experts, a “crisis of accountability” is underway: while satellite technologies are identifying super-emitters with unprecedented precision, there is no legal obligation to act upon the collected data.

Global Methane Pledge: Promises Without Enforcement

Launched in 2021, the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) aimed to reduce global methane emissions by 30% by 2030. The agreement includes more than 150 signatory countries, yet remains non-binding — meaning there are no mandatory targets or penalties for inaction.

According to the UNFCCC report, data shows that atmospheric methane concentrations continue to rise. In 2022, the world recorded the fourth-largest annual increase since 1983.

Who’s Emitting (and Ignoring)

The main methane-emitting sectors are:

• Energy (oil, fas, and coal) — roughly 40% of emissions;

• Agriculture (mainly livestock) — between 25% and 27%;

• Urban and industrial solid waste — around 33%.

Although the energy sector has the greatest potential for low-cost, rapid reductions, it is also the most negligent, according to the report. The lack of mandatory Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) regulations makes the response to emissions highly uneven across countries and companies.

Climate Finance: Pledges Detached from Reality

Even though international climate finance has finally reached the US$100 billion-per-year target, the study noted that most of these resources are going toward planning and research, not toward direct mitigation actions — such as immediate repairs of leaks detected by satellite.

COP30 in Belém: Brazil as Stage and Protagonist

With COP30 scheduled for Belém, Brazil, in 2025, the country will have the opportunity to lead a new model of climate governance. Experts argue that the conference must approve:

• Internationally binding LDAR rules by 2060;

• Conditionality in climate finance to ensure responses to alerts;

• Methane reduction targets integrated into NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions);

• Major R&D investments in agriculture, focused on reducing livestock emissions.

What’s at Stake?

Methane represents one of the most immediate tools to slow global warming, yet it is being neglected on an alarming scale. The failure of the GMP and the lack of action in response to scientific data point to a credibility crisis in international environmental governance.

If COP30 fails to create real enforcement mechanisms, the window of opportunity to cut critical emissions by 2030 could close for good.

For Professionals in Construction and Sustainability

If you work in projects focused on environmental performance, ESG, or energy efficiency, this scenario reinforces the urgency of integrating climate data and policy into your practice. Regulatory and market pressures on emissions are set to increase — and staying ahead is no longer a competitive advantage; it’s a strategic necessity.

Video

Cities Designed for People … or for Cars?

In Copenhagen, the day begins with a bike ride through tree-lined cycle paths. Parks double as flood-control infrastructure. Children attend high-quality public daycare centers. And the city feels built for well-being.

In major Brazilian cities, the same morning commute means traffic jams, insecurity, and empty public spaces. The square becomes a shopping mall. The car, a necessity. Fear, a routine.

This contrast is no coincidence — it’s the result of deliberate urban choices made over decades.

What did Copenhagen understand that Brazil hasn’t yet put into practice?

Urban planning , social justice, and sustainability go hand in hand. But while Brazilian metropolises still operate under a fragmented and exclusionary model, Copenhagen has embraced a vision of integrated sustainability — where transport, architecture, energy, and quality of life are all part of the same system.

Want to understand how an oil crisis transformed Copenhagen into a global reference — and what Brazil can learn from it?

Watch the full video:

Sustainability isn’t a trend.

It’s the new operating system for cities that want to prosper — with less inequality and more purpose.

⚠️ Note: The video is in Portuguese (PT-BR), but AI-powered simultaneous translation and English subtitles are available.

News

Yili Group Accelerates Global Leadership with Functional Food Innovations and Ambitious Climate Goals

Yili Group, Asia’s largest dairy company and one of the top five worldwide, is consolidating its position as a global benchmark in sustainability and nutritional innovation.

With annual growth exceeding 30% and a strong presence across Asia, Europe, and Oceania, the Chinese company has stood out for consistently integrating technology, health, and environmental responsibility into its strategy.

At the World Dairy Summit 2025, Yili received two awards and five nominations in the International Dairy Federation (IDF) Global Innovation Awards, recognized in categories such as precision nutrition and formulations for bone health and weight management.

Sustainability as a Brand Differentiator

Beyond advances in food innovation, Yili is reinforcing its commitment to the climate agenda. The company announced its goal to achieve carbon neutrality across all operations by 2050 and is already seeing results from its early strategy:

• Launch of China’s first carbon-neutral milk, certified through a full life-cycle assessment.

• Opening of the country’s first PAS 2060-certified zero-carbon dairy factory.

• Partnerships with global suppliers such as Tetra Pak and Chr. Hansen to reduce emissions across its supply chain.

In 2024, Yili received an MSCI ESG rating of AA, the highest in the sector, strengthening its governance and appeal among investors.

Persistent Operational Challenges

Despite the progress, recent reports highlight significant gaps in Yili’s environmental and social performance.

According to the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), Yili ranks 254th out of 350 companies globally in sustainability performance.

The most critical issue lies in enteric methane (CH₄) emissions from more than 1,500 farms associated with the group. The company scored only 0.6 out of 30 in environmental action, reflecting a lack of clear targets and visible investments in methane reduction technologies such as biodigesters and feed additives.

Risks and Opportunities Ahead

Another area of concern is he absence of a public protein diversification strategy, a fast-growing global trend driven by precision fermentation — a technology that allows dairy protein production without animal sources. Companies like Brazil’s Future Cow are already gaining traction in this field, increasing pressure on traditional dairy models.

Experts suggests that to sustain its leadership in the coming years, Yili will need to accelerate its transition to include alternative proteins in its portfolio while strengthening transparency and emissions monitoring throughout its production chain.

In Summary

• Yili is now a global reference in functional food innovation and environmental leadership within the dairy industry.

• Its model demonstrates that traditional industries can also lead sustainable transformation.

• However, the gap between strategic governance and on-the-ground execution still poses a risk to the credibility of its Net-Zero plan.

Yili’s evolution serves as a strategic example for other sectors — including construction — of how to align growth, innovation, and environmental impact in measurable ways, and what happens when that balance remains incomplete.