24 more countries join Global Methane Pledge

WASHINGTON, October 11

Twenty-four more countries have joined a US and EU-led effort to slash methane emissions 30 per cent by 2030, giving the emerging global partnership momentum ahead of its launch at the UN climate summit in Glasgow later this month, a government official said.

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 to galvanise rapid climate action before the start of the Scotland summit on October 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 per cent of the global GDP and 30 per cent of global methane emissions.

US special climate change envoy John Kerry and European Commission Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans will introduce the new partners and also announce that more than 20 philanthropic organisations, including ones led by Michael Bloomberg and Bill Gates, will mobilise over $223 million to help support countries’ methane-reduction efforts, said the official.

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 is waste. — Reuters

‘Do more than just talk on climate’

London: Prince Charles said on Monday that world leaders needed to do more than “just talk” when they gather in Glasgow between October 31 and November 12 for a UN climate summit. AP

Slashing harmful emissions

• The pact was announced by the US and EU in September to galvanise climate action before the start of the Scotland summit on October 31
• By 2030, the signatory nations aim to slash methane emissions by 30% from the 2020 levels