Washington, 13 October 2021 (TDI): The USAID Administrator, Samantha Power, announced that 24 countries joined the Global Methane Pledge, on 12 October. Power also thanked the Climate Envoy, and Frans Timmermans.
NEWS: 24 new countries joined the Global Methane Pledge yesterday with the goal of slashing methane emissions by 30% by 2030 & reducing warming by 0.2°C by 2050. Thanks to @ClimateEnvoy & @TimmermansEU for organizing this critical pledge ahead of #COP26. https://t.co/JzVvMoh0RN
— Samantha Power (@PowerUSAID) October 12, 2021
The Global Methane Pledge was announced at the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate. The President of the United States, Joe Biden; and the President of the European Commission, were in charge of its announcement, on 17 September. The date to launch the initiative is at the World Leaders Summit; at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference, in November.
The Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, and European Commission Executive, Frans Timmermans; hosted a virtual Ministerial. Timmermans lead international negotiations on climate. The co-convenors of the Ministerial, and the Executive Director of UN Environment Programme, Inger Anderssen, agreed on different affirmations.
First, they affirmed on the importance of reducing methane emissions. The representatives consider this as the most effective strategy, to reduce global warming in the near future. Also the representatives consider the strategy important to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The Note also mentions that over 20 philanthropies announced commitments of over 200 million. At first, the initiative had then the support of eight countries. Those were Argentina, Ghana, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and also the US.
MORE COUNTRIES SUPPORT THE PLEDGE
Then other 24 countries announced their incorporation to the Pledge; according to the Note. With their announcements, 9 of the top 20 emitters are participating in the Global Methane Pledge. The Note mentions that those 9 countries, represent 30% of the global methane emissions, and also 60% of the global economy.
The new 24 supporters of the Pledge are Canada, Congo-Brazzavile, Central African Republic, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Micronesia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Guinea, Japan, Pakistan, Jordan, Morocco, and Sweden; among others.
COMMITMENT OF THE PLEDGE
Then the note mentions that by joining the Pledge, the countries commit to the collective goal. That goal is to reduce the global methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels; to 2030. It is also part of the goal to move towards, by using highest tier IPCC, with a focus on high emission sources.
The Note also states that the successful implementation of the Methane Pledge, consists of reducing warming by 2 degrees Celsius, by 2050. The first supporters of the Pledge will also continue to enlist countries to join it.
