Example
An oil and gas producer may report emissions relative to the energy supplied.
The catch
Intensity can decline while total emissions rise if production grows.
Related terms
Methane, Anthropogenic methane, Biogenic methane, Flaring, Fossil methane, Fugitive emissions
In more depth
Methane intensity, explained.
Methane intensity lets regulators and gas purchasers compare producers, because it puts operations of different sizes on the same scale. The usual forms are methane lost as a share of gas produced, and methane expressed in CO₂e per unit of energy delivered. The IEA reports wide gaps between the best and worst performers, which makes the figure useful for buyers choosing between suppliers. EU methane rules extend disclosure duties to importers of oil and gas, with intensity at the centre.
Check what sits under the fraction before comparing two figures. Gas produced and gas sold give different results, and an upstream-only figure looks better than one covering processing and transport. Treat intensity as a companion to absolute emissions. A company-wide emissions intensity target works the same way and shares the same blind spot.