UN Expands Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) to Coal and Waste Sectors

Global Surveillance: Monitoring Methane Super-Emitters

The United Nations has expanded the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) to include the coal and waste sectors. Satellite monitoring recently flagged India's Kanjurmarg landfill as one of the world’s three largest methane-emitting landfill sites, highlighting a major environmental challenge.

Key Features of MARS:

• Authority: Functions under the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) of the UNEP.


• Technology: It is the first global satellite-based system used to detect and respond to methane super-emitters.


• Focus: Originally launched at COP27, it now targets high-emission hotspots in coal mines and waste management sites to mitigate climate impact.

For Environment aspirants, this is a critical topic under 'Climate Change' and 'International Environmental Conventions.'