The signatory countries undertake to reduce by at least 30% by 2030 global methane emissions, a greenhouse gas responsible for a quarter of the global warming since the pre-industrial era.
by
Long absent from the agenda of the great peaks on the climate, methane is now at the center of the fight against climate change. Tuesday, November 2nd, at the Glasgow World Climate (COP26) Conference, nearly 90 states joined a “Global Pact for Methane”, an initiative of the United States and the European Union to tackle this very powerful pollutant. France, Germany, Argentina, Canada, Brazil, the United States, Indonesia, Iraq or the United Kingdom have committed to reducing global emissions from this greenhouse gas At least 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. This is the first global political commitment in this area.
Signatory countries cover nearly half of global methane emissions and two-thirds of global GDP. On the other hand, China, Russia and India, which weigh for one third of the emissions, are not part of the new covenant. “I encourage all the countries to join us, launched the US President Joe Biden, Monday, to the Tribune of the Leadership Summit. This is the simplest and effective strategy we have to slow down climate change in the short term . “
“This commitment is a major breakthrough to prevent irreversible tipping points, welcomes Sarah Smith, Program Director at the NGO Clean Air Task Force. The rapid reduction of methane emissions is the means faster to maintain international climate goals at hand. “” It’s very encouraging, although for the moment, it’s commitments that are not associated with accurate actions. Countries will have to say how they Count it “, however, warns Marielle Saunois, a teacher-researcher at the Climate and Environmental Sciences and Coordinator of the World Methane Inventory.
almost immediate effect on the temperature
In recent days, ads aimed at reducing emissions from this gas are multiplying. The G20 gathered in Rome on 30 and 31 October, for the first time recognized the “significant contribution” of methane emissions to climate change and the need to reduce them.
The American Environmental Protection Agency announced, Tuesday, a new regulation to reduce existing oil and gas emissions across the country, not only the new facilities. Canada is committed to reducing emissions from the oil and gas sector by at least 75% by 2030 from the 2012 levels. Finally, the European Parliament called the Commission, at the end of October , to propose binding measures and objectives to limit this superpollant for all sectors. And the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has just launched with the European Union a International observatory of methane emissions
You have 57.67% of this article to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.