The United States’ goal of raising about $200 million in funding to combat methane emissions will be exceeded at COP28 in Dubai later this month, a senior State Department official said on Friday.
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In April, President Joe Biden called on other countries to join the United States in raising $200 million to help developing countries.
That goal will be exceeded thanks to contributions from Washington and other countries, the American official said on condition of anonymity.
Greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide contribute to more than half of climate change, although they receive much less attention.
Around 150 countries are taking part in an initiative launched in 2021 that aims to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels.
This goal is intended to help limit warming to 0.2°C by 2050.
China, the world’s biggest emitter, has agreed for the first time to include all greenhouse gases in its next national climate commitment for 2035 under a deal reached with the United States earlier week.
China, the United States and the United Arab Emirates, which are hosting COP28, will jointly host a summit on methane and non-CO2 greenhouse gases during the negotiations, which run from November 30 to December 12.
AFP
The US official acknowledged that billions of dollars are needed worldwide to reduce methane emissions.
These occur in oil and natural gas production, but are also associated with landfills or even agricultural or industrial activities.
Scientists believe it is essential to limit long-term global warming to 1.5°C to prevent the most serious and potentially irreversible impacts of climate change.
The planet is currently on track to warm by 2.3°C by 2100.