Latin America and the Caribbean are making decisive strides toward a cleaner energy transition with the launch of the Methane Emissions Observatory for Latin American and Caribbean (OEMLAC), an initiative of the Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE) that seeks to strengthen regional climate action through the sustainable reduction of methane emissions.
Officially established by a decision of the 52nd OLACDE Ministerial Meeting, held in Panama, OEMLAC serves as a strategic tool to address the impact of this potent greenhouse gas, whose emissions can cause warming 82.5 times more intense than that of CO₂ over a 20-year period. Its creation responds to the need for reliable data, common methodologies, and technical capabilities that enable countries to effectively manage these emissions.
With the participation of 22 countries—representing 93 % of the region’s natural gas production—the Observatory is projected in the medium term to serve as a consolidated technical and political forum for governments, the private sector, international organizations, and the scientific community. Its operational structure is supported by more than 39 national focal points and an action plan that combines training, monitoring, inter-institutional cooperation, and financial coordination.
