The Climate Curve Prize: Methane will be the first prize to bolster global solutions for methane mitigation in food and waste systems.
Applications open February 2026.
Why Methane?
Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas — more than 80 times stronger than COâ‚‚. It is responsible for 45% of global temperature rise since the Industrial Revolution and is a major driver of premature deaths linked to air pollution. Agriculture and waste are one of the world’s biggest contributors to methane emissions, yet funding for methane mitigation in this sector is well behind the curve.
​
Methane mitigation offers one of the fastest, most cost-effective opportunities for slowing climate change: investments in methane reduction have the potential to deliver 118M jobs and could unlock $700 billion in global economic value from food and waste system innovations by 2050.
1 Million
Premature deaths globally attributed to tropospheric ozone, of which methane is a key precursor.
60%
Of global human-caused methane emissions comes from food and waste system.
About the Climate Curve Prize: Methane
The Climate Curve Prize: Methane, launched by Climate Curve (formerly Global Warming Mitigation Project) with support from the Global Methane Hub, is the first global prize dedicated to accelerating methane emissions mitigation solutions for food and waste systems. Inspired by the success of the Keeling Curve Prize, this initiative will build a portfolio of breakthrough approaches to address methane emissions, starting with agriculture and waste.
Each year, a team of diverse, expert analysts, advisors, and judges will identify and support innovators whose work demonstrates the greatest potential for real-world impact.
Timeline:
​Late February: Applications open worldwide
April 17: Applications close at 11:59 PM IDLW (UTC–12)
July 2: 16 finalists announced
September: 8 laureates announced and awarded $25,000 each to support their work at New York Climate Week
Click the icons to learn more about each category
Prize Categories
What Sets this Prize Apart?
-
First-of-its-kind, sector-specific prize for methane mitigation
-
Transparent, application-based process with rigorous, scientific-based vetting
-
Strong network of global partners and support for all applicants
-
Tailored, trust-based funding with no strings attached
-
Focus on building sustainable communities and long-term impact
Opportunities for Innovators & Change-makers
Are you working on a solution to reduce methane emissions? The Climate Curve Prize: Methane offers global visibility, access to a community of climate leaders, and the chance to join a network of innovators scaling transformative solutions. The application cycle will begin February 2026.
Subscribe to our email communications to be among the first to get news and updates relating to our new methane prize.
Opportunities for Funders & Partners
By supporting the Climate Curve Prize: Methane, you can help accelerate one of the most powerful levers for climate impact. Sponsors receive global recognition, exclusive invitations to high-level events, and the opportunity to directly empower the world’s leading methane innovators.​
$700 Billion
Potential global economic value added by food and waste system methane innovations by 2050 (USD).
118 Million
Projected jobs created through investing in methane-mitigating solutions for food and waste systems.
Interested in being a difference maker for the planet? Reach out!
Partnership Makes It Possible
The Climate Curve Prize: Methane is supported by the Global Methane Hub
Climate Curve is proud to have the support of the Global Methane Hub (GMH) for the launch of this one-of-a-kind methane prize. GMH is a global leader in the methane mitigation space. They are building a global network of scientists, experts, activists, policymakers, and philanthropists, all pushing in the same direction toward the single goal of cutting down methane emissions.
Honoring a Pioneer. Carrying His Legacy.
Manfredi Caltagirone was a visionary leader in the global effort to reduce methane pollution. As Director of the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), he helped build the world’s first truly comprehensive system for tracking methane emissions — transforming satellite data and on-the-ground measurements into trusted, actionable insight. His work empowered governments, industry, and civil society to set credible targets and take meaningful action.
This prize honors Manfredi’s legacy by carrying forward the mission he championed with such resolve: accelerating real, measurable methane reductions to protect our climate.
Manfredi believed that lasting methane mitigation depends not only on technology, but on trust and
collaboration across sectors. His clarity of purpose, generosity, and unyielding commitment inspired
a global community that continues to grow.​​
Manfredi had a clear vision: if methane emissions were made visible, action would become inevitable — and he was right. Once you see images of avoidable methane “bombs,” you can’t unsee them. That visibility empowers companies to improve their operations, civil society to demand accountability, communities to show how fossil fuel extraction harms both the climate and the air they breathe, and governments to regulate not only domestic methane emissions, but also those embedded in the oil and gas they import. This catalytic vision is one that GMH shares — and one we see driving real change every day.
— Marcelo Mena-Carrasco
CEO of the Global Methane Hub