The MARS process has 4 components:
- Component 1: Detect & Attribute: UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) coordinates with its data partners and works with data from global mapping satellites (e.g., ESA Sentinel-5P's TROPOMI) to identify very large methane sources. Further analysis using other, higher-resolution satellites (e.g., ASI PRISMA, ESA Sentinel-2) and ancillary datasets enables attribution of the emissions event to a particular source.
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Component 2: Notify & Engage: UNEP notifies relevant governments and companies about large emissions events happening in or near their jurisdictions or operations. Governments are notified via their designated focal points or UNEP permanent representative. Companies that are members of OGMP 2.0 are notified directly. Engagement continues as more information becomes available about a given emissions event.
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Component 3: Stakeholders Take Action: It is up to stakeholders to determine how best to respond to a MARS notification. Stakeholders are asked to share their actions with IMEO to enable parallel verification via satellite observation where possible and to demonstrate verifiable climate action. As appropriate, MARS partners are available to provide support at this stage.
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Component 4: Track, Collaborate & Learn: Ideally, while mitigation efforts are underway, IMEO continues to monitor the event location for methane emissions. Data is made publicly available on the Eye on Methane data platform 30 days after detection.
IMEO fosters collaboration across the MARS ecosystem through a request for feedback from stakeholders. These lessons are applied to improve the MARS process and strengthen methane action.
MARS is designed to be highly collaborative between UNEP, governments and companies. More details about the MARS process can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
