Washington: Two dozen countries have joined a U.S.- and EU-led effort to slash methane emissions 30 percent by 2030, giving the emerging global partnership momentum ahead of its launch at the U.N. climate summit in Glasgow later this month, a government official told Reuters.
Nigeria, Japan and Pakistan are among the 24 new signatories to the Global Methane Pledge, which was first announced by the United States and EU in September with the aim of galvanizing rapid climate action before the start of the Scotland summit on Oct. 31. It could have a significant impact on the energy, agriculture and waste sectors responsible for the bulk of methane emissions.
The nine original partners include Britain, Indonesia and Mexico, which signed on to the pledge when it was announced at the Major Economies Forum last month. The partnership will now cover 60% of global GDP and 30% of global methane emissions.
U.S. special climate change envoy John Kerry and European Commission Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans will introduce the new partners at a joint event on Monday and also announce that a dozen philanthropic organizations, including ones led by Michael Bloomberg and Bill Gates, will mobilize over $200 million to help support countries’ methane reduction efforts, said the official, who declined to be named.
The source said the countries represent a range of different methane emissions profiles. For example, Pakistan’s main source of methane emissions is agriculture, while Indonesia’s main source of methane is waste.
Several countries most vulnerable to climate change impacts, including some African nations and island nations like Micronesia, have also signed the pledge.
In the weeks leading up to the U.N. climate summit, the United States will engage with other major emerging economy methane emitters like India and China to urge them to join and ensure the “groundswell of support continues,” the official said. Reuters
