Monthly methane emissions in China from 2018-2024 based on point source level data

China is the world’s largest source of methane (CH₄) emissions and has signalled its intention to incorporate methane into its climate commitments. Designing effective methane-mitigation strategies requires robust estimates of up-to-date emissions, particularly by considering the pronounced spatial heterogeneity and temporal variability of each emission source. However, there is currently an absence of source-level, up-to-date and dynamic CH₄emissions estimation in China, constraining the formulation of measurable targets. In this study, we have presented the Chinese Methane Emissions Database (CMED), a nationwide, source-level, monthly emission inventory covering the period 2018-2024. CMED provides a comprehensive account of anthropogenic CH₄ emissions in China. This comprehensive dataset enables more accurate analyses by providing integrated, source-level and temporally explicit information, offering critical support for the policy evaluation under China’s new round of Nationally Determined Contributions climate commitments released in 2025.