Kazakhstan to develop national satellite methane regulatory program for oil and gas, showcasing the strength and experience of its space industry
ANTALYA – At COP31, during the Global Methane Pledge Ministerial meeting, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan announced plans to develop a national satellite-based program to support regulations of methane emissions from the country’s oil and gas sector.
The program builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in September 2025 by the Ministry of Ecology, the Global Methane Hub, Carbon Mapper, and Clean Air Task Force (CATF). It will be developed with support from the Fossil Fuel Regulatory Programme (FFRP), a partnership of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and CATF, with additional technical support from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the UN Environment Program’s (UNEP) International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), Carbon Mapper, GHGSat, AIRMO, and Carbon Limits. It also draws on Kazakhstan’s established space industry and its experience in Earth observation.
“This initiative is part of implementing Kazakhstan’s Carbon Neutrality Strategy to 2060. As we strengthen our approach to methane in the oil and gas sector, independent satellite data will help make it evidence-based and effective,” said Alibek Kuantyrov, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan. “Reducing methane brings practical benefits for the climate, the economy and our international partnerships, and it helps keep us in step with evolving global expectations. As the world gathers in Antalya, we are taking a first concrete step that will evolve over time, and we hope it will strengthen cooperation on methane across Central Asia. At the national level, Kazakhstan is also developing its own space-based methane monitoring capabilities, with the aim of creating a domestic satellite solution.”
The program will be run by the regulatory agency and enable the use of satellite and aerial data to identify large methane releases at oil and gas facilities and connect that information directly to operators so that detection leads to verified repairs. It will complement Kazakhstan’s requirements on leak detection and repair, flaring, and venting.
“Kazakhstan’s methane satellite program sends a meaningful signal that leadership starts with action supported by transparency,” said James Turitto, Oil and Gas Methane Director at Clean Air Task Force. “While many methane reductions can and should be implemented immediately, high-quality emissions data is crucial to achieving deeper and more sustained reductions over time. The last few years have proven that advanced technologies play a vital role in comprehensive methane regulation and emissions reductions. At a time when some governments are seeking to delay methane accountability, this program shows how other producing countries can take proactive steps to build credibility, strengthen accountability, and accelerate methane reductions.”
Quotes from International Partners
“Methane super-emitters from the oil and gas sector offer the biggest near-term opportunities to mitigate this potent greenhouse gas. We applaud Kazakhstan’s leadership to address these events and look forward to working with the government and other partners to leverage data to empower targeted action, grow local capacity, and establish a successful model for others to follow,” said Riley Duren, CEO of Carbon Mapper.
Kazakhstan is showing how national leadership, strong regulations and international partnerships can turn methane commitments into concrete action. This initiative is an important step towards delivering measurable emissions reductions and offers a model for other oil and gas producing countries,” said Martina Otto, Head of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition Secretariat
“By connecting satellite detections to regulators and operators, Kazakhstan is demonstrating a commitment to action on mitigating methane emissions, one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to slow warming. Kazakhstan is building a system where finding a leak leads to fixing it. We have better technology than ever to find and fix methane leaks in the oil and gas sector, and this is a model other producing countries can follow,” said Chris Konek, Lead Scientist, Global Methane Hub.
“Kazakhstan is demonstrating what becomes possible when governments turn satellite methane data into action. Working with UNEP, the country has already mitigated 10 major methane emissions events identified through the Methane Alert and Response System, addressing more than 31,000 tonnes of methane emissions. Its efforts to systematically integrate satellite monitoring into national regulation represent an important step forward, showing how cutting-edge data can drive tangible methane reductions.” said Giulia Ferrini, Head of UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory.
“Kazakhstan has built a strong space industry and is now applying this expertise to methane monitoring through its own satellite programme and national monitoring platform. AIRMO is proud to support these efforts through our partnerships with Ghalam and Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary, contributing our satellite technology, sensors and data processing algorithms. As a technology provider, we see the inclusion of satellite monitoring in national regulations as an important step towards faster detection and mitigation of major methane emissions. Combined with locally owned capabilities, this approach could set a precedent for other methane-emitting countries and help accelerate methane emissions reductions globally.” said Vasily Yablokov, Product Director, AIRMO.
“The IEA welcomes Kazakhstan’s leadership and concrete action on methane and is pleased to support the development of its satellite monitoring and response program. Effective use of satellite data can help address large emissions events, driving emissions reductions while supporting Kazakhstan’s energy security and climate goals. We look forward to continuing our collaboration on developing a robust methane regulatory framework informed by international best practices,” said Christophe McGlade, Head of the Energy Supply Unit, International Energy Agency.
“Our work with government and industry partners in Kazakhstan over several years has shown the value of combining methane satellite data with practical action on the ground. A national satellite-based program can strengthen this link, helping turn the detection of major emissions events into timely mitigation,” said Anastasia Isaenko, Principal Consultant, Carbon Limits.
“We look forward to supporting Kazakhstan’s satellite monitoring program. Having spent more than a decade detecting methane from individual facilities, we’ve seen firsthand how much progress is possible when government and industry align on a clear vision for action,” said Stéphane Germain, CEO, GHGSat.
Press Contact
Natalie Volk, Senior Communications Manager, Clean Air Task Force, [email protected], +1-703-785-9580
About Clean Air Task Force
Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global climate organization working to advance the full range of solutions needed for a healthy climate and a thriving planet. Founded in 1996, CATF conducts research and analysis to identify promising solutions, then works across governments, industry, and partners in more than 40 countries to deliver them at scale. It takes no funding from governments or the industries it works to influence, so its analysis and advocacy follows the facts. Over 30 years, its work has helped shape major climate and energy policy around the world. CATF is consistently recognized as one of the most effective climate organizations in the world by independent evaluators including Giving Green and Founders Pledge. Learn more at cleanairtaskforce.org.
