Revealed: the 1,200 big methane leaks from waste dumps trashing the planet

South Asia is a major source of uncontrolled methane leaks, but large emissions have also been detected in Spain and Argentina. Composite: Guardian

There have been more than 1,000 huge leaks of the potent greenhouse gas methane from landfill waste dumps since 2019, the Guardian can reveal.

Analysis of global satellite data from around the world shows the populous nations of south Asia are a hotspot for these super-emitter events, as well as Argentina and Spain, developed countries where proper waste management should prevent leaks.