Methane is one of the most significant greenhouse gases contributing to global warming, making it a fundamental subject in climate discussions

Temperatures worldwide are rising at an unprecedented rate due to several factors, with greenhouse gas emissions being the most critical. Among these gases, methane has a warming power 80 times that of carbon dioxide, prompting greater emphasis on reducing methane emissions during international talks. Methane is particularly prominent on the agenda for the 29th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP29), which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22.

Global Methane Pledge

In 2021, during COP26 in Glasgow, UK, the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) was introduced. This initiative aims to reduce methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030, which could contribute to a reduction of global average temperatures by 0.2°C by 2050.

Despite the urgent need to cut methane emissions, a significant gap remains between current measures and the actions necessary to meet these targets. “Current measures are not enough to achieve the Methane Pledge target,” said Jeni Miller, Executive Director of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, in an interview with The Earth Call. “To effectively support this pledge, we need national policies and regulations that establish clear methane reduction targets, incorporate independent measurement of emissions (not reliant on industry self-reporting), and implement strong accountability mechanisms, including meaningful penalties for failure to reduce emissions.”

COP29 agenda

On November 19, the ninth day of COP29 dedicated to water, food, and agriculture, the conference presidency is expected to issue a declaration aimed at reducing methane emissions from organic waste, which are notably high. Miller emphasized: “Methane is a powerful, short-lived global warming gas, and there are relatively easy and low-cost solutions available for its mitigation. If we neglect to address methane emissions, we will witness significantly more warming within our lifetimes.”

Methane not only impacts our climate but also affects air quality, posing risks to human health and the health of other living organisms. Therefore, reducing methane emissions is crucial. Some experts argue that decreasing methane emissions represents the shortest path to achieving the 1.5°C target, thus helping to align global efforts with the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.