Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife MacKenzie Scott has given $60 million to the Global Methane Hub as methane cuts gain importance in the fight against climate change. Yield Giving’s official database lists the contribution as a 2025 gift to the organisation. The International Energy Agency’s latest assessment found no sign that methane emissions from fossil fuel operations fell in 2025. Methane is also responsible for nearly 30% of the rise in global average temperatures since the Industrial Revolution, according to the IEA.
The Global Methane Hub works to reduce methane emissions from energy, agriculture and waste. The donation comes at a critical time for methane action. This is despite the availability of proven ways to reduce them. Its strong warming effect and the availability of existing solutions have made methane reduction an increasingly important climate priority.
Yield Giving lists the Global Methane Hub among Scott’s 2025 recipients with a $60 million gift. Yield Giving also records an earlier 2024 gift to the Global Methane Hub. The Associated Press reported that the $60 million contribution was Scott’s second gift to the organisation. AP reported that she gave $7.1 billion to nonprofits in 2025. That took her total giving since 2019 to $26.3 billion. Her 2025 grants included several major climate contributions. The Global Methane Hub received $60 million. AP also reported that the organisation grants about $100 million a year to projects focused on reducing methane emissions. The IEA says methane remains in the atmosphere for about 12 years. The IEA says atmospheric methane concentrations are now 2.7 times higher than before the Industrial Revolution. It also estimates that methane is responsible for nearly 30% of the rise in global average temperatures since then. The agency’s Global Methane Tracker 2026 found no sign that methane emissions from fossil fuel operations fell in 2025. Fossil fuels account for about 35% of human-caused methane emissions. The IEA estimates that oil, gas and coal operations produced about 124 million tonnes of methane in 2025. Oil accounted for about 44 million tonnes. Natural gas produced about 34 million tonnes. Coal accounted for about 39 million tonnes. The IEA estimates that the energy sector emitted nearly 150 million tonnes of methane in 2025. That represents about 40% of methane emissions from human activity. The IEA estimates that about 70% of methane emissions from fossil fuel operations can be reduced with existing technology. This amounts to nearly 85 million tonnes. More than 35 million tonnes could be avoided at no net cost based on average energy prices in 2025.
The organisation is classified under climate change funding. Its mission is to accelerate methane reductions across energy, agriculture and waste. It works with governments, researchers, civil society groups, investors and businesses. The amount of that gift was not disclosed at the time. Scott’s methane donation was part of a much larger year of giving. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas with a much shorter atmospheric lifetime than carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide can remain for centuries. Methane still has a much stronger warming effect during that period. That short atmospheric lifetime gives methane cuts an important advantage. Reducing emissions can slow the rate of warming within a relatively short period. Methane reductions can also reduce ground-level ozone. This is a harmful air pollutant that affects people and ecosystems. The UN also identifies rapid methane cuts as one of the most effective ways to slow near-term warming. It stresses that methane action must happen alongside deep cuts in carbon dioxide emissions. The latest IEA data provide a strong reason for the growing focus on methane. The broader energy sector produces an even larger share. It includes bioenergy as well as fossil fuels. Keeping the two figures separate is important. Fossil fuels make up most energy-related methane emissions but are not the entire energy sector. The methane challenge does not depend entirely on new technology. Around three-quarters of oil and gas methane can be abated. The figure is about half for coal methane.
Additional policies based on better emissions data could push the reduction above 75%. Scott’s $60 million gift comes as the gap between potential and actual methane cuts remains significant. Yet emissions from fossil fuel operations showed no sign of falling in 2025.
The IEA says tried-and-tested policies could cut methane emissions from oil and gas operations by more than half if implemented globally. The organisation says methane mitigation remains significantly underfunded compared with other areas of climate finance. The IEA says many proven solutions already exist.
Available measures include detecting and repairing leaks. Operators can also replace equipment that releases methane. Capturing gas that would otherwise be vented can prevent emissions. Reducing routine flaring can help as well. The Global Methane Hub funds and supports organisations working to reduce methane emissions. It also brings together governments, researchers and other groups to speed up action. It aims to direct more funding towards projects that can deliver rapid methane reductions. Better measurement can help identify major sources. Funding can then support policies and projects that address them. Scott’s contribution gives the Global Methane Hub more philanthropic support as efforts to cut one of the world’s most powerful short-lived greenhouse gases gain momentum. Get the latest technology news and updates. Download the TOI App.