Global methane emissions for 2008-2017 were estimated at 576 Tg CH4 yr⁻¹ by atmospheric inversions, with about 60% attributed to anthropogenic sources. Bottom-up approaches estimated higher emissions (737 Tg CH4 yr⁻¹), with a significant discrepancy attributed to uncertain natural emissions, especially from inland waters. The study highlights the need for improved mapping and process-based modeling of inland water emissions, better assessment of methane sinks, and enhanced partitioning of sources using top-down models.

The study involves a large consortium of scientists from various institutions, including some with potential ties to industries or sectors relevant to methane emissions (e.g., fossil fuels, agriculture). However, the paper explicitly states that the data are made available to promote understanding and mitigation efforts, and it encourages co-authorship for publications that rely heavily on the provided data.

This is a comprehensive and valuable synthesis of current knowledge on the global methane budget. The study combines multiple data sources and modeling approaches, acknowledges key uncertainties, and proposes concrete steps for future research. While some limitations exist in the consistency of regional flux estimates and the accuracy of sink estimations, the overall methodology is sound, the findings are significant, and the work provides a crucial foundation for methane mitigation strategies.