COP26: Brazil Joins Group of 103 Countries and Commits to Reducing Methane Emissions by 2030

Being One of the 5 Largest Methane Emitters, Brazil Joins the Group of 103 Countries That, Led by the USA and EU, Are Planning to Reduce Emissions by 2030.

A group of 103 countries has joined the efforts led by the European Union and the United States to reduce emissions of the potent methane gas by 30% by 2030. Brazil joined the signatories of the “Global Methane Commitment,” announced Lourival Sant’Anna, CNN’s international affairs analyst, on the morning of this Tuesday (2). The partnership among nations was launched on this Tuesday during COP26. Methane is the main greenhouse gas, second only to carbon dioxide.

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Methane Reduction Can Have a Rapid Impact on the Environment

Methane has a greater heat retention potential than carbon dioxide; however, it decomposes more quickly in the atmosphere, which means that reducing its emissions can have a faster impact on controlling global warming.

At COP26, U.S. President Joe Biden reinforced the commitment to reduce gas emissions and stated that the measure could even reduce some respiratory diseases such as asthma.

According to Biden at COP26, methane reduction will boost economies by reducing capital expenditures for companies, decreasing gas leaks, capturing methane to transform it into new sources of revenue, and also creating jobs and income for workers.

Brazil Is One of the Largest Methane Emitters

Brazil is one of the five largest methane emitters in the world. China, India, and Russia, which are also among the five largest emitters, have not signed the commitment, unlike Brazil. These countries are listed among the top emitters.

Since it was first announced in September, the European Union and the United States have been working to bring the largest methane emitters, such as Brazil, into the fold. In addition to Brazil, 60 countries joined just last week following a final diplomatic “push” from the EU and the U.S. before the COP26 summit.

Although not part of the UN negotiations, the pledge to reduce gas emissions can be classified among the most significant outcomes of the COP26 conference, considering its potential impact on curbing disastrous climate change.

UN States That Reduction Can Prevent 0.3 Degree Celsius

In May, a UN report indicated that sharp cuts in methane emissions this decade could reduce about 0.3 degree Celsius of global warming by 2040.

Failing to join efforts against emissions would drift away from the goal of the Paris Agreement to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and avoid worse impacts of climate change.

A 30% cut in methane would be achieved with the support of the 103 countries and would cover all sectors. Methane emissions primarily include infrastructure with oil and gas leaks, agriculture, abandoned coal mines, and landfills.