CAMS Enhances Methane Hotspot Explorer with Plume Shape Data

On June 25, 2025, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) announced a significant upgrade to its Methane Hotspot Explorer application, which now integrates detailed methane (CH4) plume shape data derived from satellite observations. This enhancement aims to provide a better understanding of the extent and behavior of large methane emissions, contributing to global monitoring efforts associated with greenhouse gas emissions.

The Methane Hotspot Explorer app utilizes data from the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) aboard the Copernicus Sentinel-5 Precursor satellite. This new functionality allows users to visualize the shape and transport of methane emissions, crucial for assessing environmental risks. According to Panagiotis Kountouris, a CAMS Scientist, "SRON has done a great job continuously monitoring CH4 plume events based on TROPOMI satellite observations. This new CAMS service is an important advance showing the potential of our future anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions monitoring capability, CO2MVS."

By clicking on identified CH4 emissions hotspots, users can access visualizations of the plume shape, including a red marker indicating the most upwind point of the detected plume, which estimates the source location. The application also provides essential data such as emission rates, uncertainty, and the date and time of the detection.

This upgrade forms part of a broader initiative to bolster Europe's greenhouse gas monitoring capabilities through the CO2 Monitoring and Verification Support (CO2MVS) system. Projects like CoCO2, CORSO, and CATRINE, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programs, are foundational to this effort, enabling enhanced monitoring that complements national inventories and assesses progress towards greenhouse gas reduction targets.

The enhanced Methane Hotspot Explorer app also contributes to the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) project of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The data collected through this app will play a crucial role in IMEO's Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), which provides actionable insights into significant methane emissions. Richard Engelen, Deputy Director of CAMS, expressed his satisfaction, stating, "We are very happy to contribute to the excellent IMEO efforts with our data. Greenhouse gas emissions are a pressing issue, and no efforts should be spared to improve our capacity to understand and address the main emission sources."

The IMEO initiative aims for a 30% reduction in methane emissions by 2030, highlighting the urgency of addressing this potent greenhouse gas. The capabilities of the Methane Hotspot Explorer are expected to facilitate more accurate emissions tracking, crucial for both European and global climate objectives.

CAMS has been at the forefront of monitoring atmospheric composition, traditionally focused on air quality, but now increasingly on greenhouse gases and their emissions. This shift is reflected in the introduction of innovative services like the Methane Hotspot Explorer and the future CO2MVS. These monitoring tools are vital for achieving the ambitious targets set by the European Union and for supporting international efforts to mitigate climate change. The data from CAMS is accessible to the public via the Atmosphere Data Store, providing essential information that can inform researchers, policymakers, and the general public about atmospheric conditions and greenhouse gas concentrations.