The United States and the European Union have reportedly agreed to cut human-induced methane (CH4) emissions by at least 30% by 2030, compared to 2020 levels, or so reported Reuters on Monday 13 September, reporting also that this is based on a draft global methane commitment.
According to the news agency, the agreement is expected to be unveiled on Friday, ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, at a meeting of major emitting countries.
The two parties are also likely to invite more than two dozen other countries to join the commitment, including China, Russia, India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Norway, Qatar, Britain, New Zealand and South Africa.
Although methane is less present in the atmosphere than CO2, it has a global warming potential (GWP) 28 times higher than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, and 84 times higher over a 20-year period, making CH4 the second most significant greenhouse gas to contribute to climate change.
Methane emissions come predominantly from agriculture, fossil fuels and the waste sector.
In the first part of its sixth assessment report, which was published on 9 August, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that CH4 concentrations have reached their highest level in at least 800,000 years. Strong, rapid and sustained action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – including methane – will therefore be needed to limit global warming, they say.
When contacted by EUROPE, the European Commission did not wish to make a comment at this stage. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)