authority: gcos
slug: methane
name: Methane
domain: atmosphere
subdomain: composition
authority_id: gcos:methane
external_ids:
  nvs_uri: null
  cf_standard_name: mole_fraction_of_methane_in_air
  iadopt_concepts:
    property: mole-fraction
    entity: methane
canonical_units: "1"
gcos_requirement_tier:
  threshold: null
  breakthrough: null
  goal: null
description: |
  Atmospheric mole fraction of CH4 from the surface flask network and
  total-column retrievals (TROPOMI, GOSAT, MethaneSAT, EMIT). The
  second-largest anthropogenic GHG and a near-term mitigation target.
theme: atmosphere
demos: []
status: documented
sources:
  - https://gcos.wmo.int/site/global-climate-observing-system-gcos/essential-climate-variables/carbon-dioxide-methane-and-other-greenhouse-gases