From Methane Data to Risk-Informed Action: Strengthening Decision-Making for Effective Methane Management (Future of Energy Conference)

Advances in satellite systems, aerial surveys and continuous monitoring technologies are making methane emissions increasingly visible, while initiatives such as the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0 and new government policies are strengthening transparency and reporting. Yet, as the availability of methane data grows, a critical challenge remains: how can this information be translated into decisions that lead to effective methane management?

Effective decision-making requires more than emissions measurements. Governments, regulators, operators, financial institutions and civil society need different combinations of information—from costs and infrastructure readiness to regulatory obligations, financing requirements, technical feasibility and uncertainty—to prioritize action and manage methane-related risks. The ability to bring these datasets together and turn them into actionable intelligence will be critical to strengthening methane mitigation efforts.

At the Future of Energy Conference 2026, the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) and partners will convene this side event to explore the future of methane data and decision-making in Africa. The discussion will examine what information different stakeholders need, how data quality and uncertainty affect decisions, and how existing decision-support tools can be strengthened to inform policy, regulatory oversight, investment planning and methane risk management.

The session will also consider practical approaches for moving from methane data to action, including how institutions can build the systems and capacities needed to translate increasingly sophisticated methane information into better prioritization, risk management and mitigation outcomes.