Intel from Above: Spotting Methane Super-Emitters with Satellites

This report describes how satellite technologies are used to detect and quantify large industrial methane point sources to support the Global Methane Pledge and the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. It introduces the 'completeness' metric for comparing satellite platforms and the Satellite Point Source Emissions Completeness Tool (SPECT) to assist policymakers and industry operators in leak detection, methane accounting, and policy design.

• Satellite technologies allow for the rapid detection, location, and quantification of large industrial methane point sources, which is essential for meeting the Global Methane Pledge and limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
• The report utilizes a proposed scientific metric known as 'completeness' to enable meaningful comparisons between different satellite platforms and constellations.
• RMI developed the Satellite Point Source Emissions Completeness Tool (SPECT) to increase public awareness of satellite capabilities, help industry operators and policymakers evaluate leak-fixing technologies, improve methane accounting, and inform the design of mitigation policies.

APA

RMI (2023). Intel from Above: Spotting Methane Super-Emitters with Satellites. https://rmi.org/resources/intel-from-above-spotting-methane-super-emitters-with-satellites/

Chicago

RMI. Intel from Above: Spotting Methane Super-Emitters with Satellites. 2023. https://rmi.org/resources/intel-from-above-spotting-methane-super-emitters-with-satellites/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Intel from Above: Spotting Methane Super-Emitters with Satellites |date=8 February 2023 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/intel-from-above-spotting-methane-super-emitters-with-satellites/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2023intel, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Intel from Above: Spotting Methane Super-Emitters with Satellites}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2023}, month = feb, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/intel-from-above-spotting-methane-super-emitters-with-satellites/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }