Pledge to Cut Methane Emissions

In October 2021, 24 countries pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Methane has been responsible for about half of the 1.1°C warming since the 1850s. This potent but short-lived greenhouse gas stays in the atmosphere for significantly less time than carbon dioxide, so reducing methane emissions should have a greater impact on slowing temperature increases. With this pledge, global warming could be reduced by an estimated 0.2°C by 2050. There is still plenty of work to be done, and the absence of an enforcement mechanism is unfortunate, but this pledge is another promising step forward.

Author: Isabella Colbert

• More Countries Join Global Pledge to Cut Methane Emissions