DUBAI (December 4, 2023) - At today’s COP28 Global Methane Pledge (GMP) Ministerial, Ministers welcomed national actions and catalytic grant funding announced at COP28 to deliver on the goal to cut methane at least 30 percent by 2030. GMP partners announced over $1 billion in new grant funding for methane action mobilized since COP27, more than triple current levels, which will mobilize billions in investment to reduce methane. 

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition will now be the new secretariat for the GMP, which also added new members and expanded leadership. Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Germany, Japan, and Nigeria joined the United States and European Union as Global Methane Pledge Champions. Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Romania, and Angola joined the Pledge, bringing total participation to 155 governments.

Following is a statement from David Waskow, International Climate Director, World Resources Institute:

“The slate of actions and funding to address methane pollution that were unveiled at COP28 is encouraging and desperately needed. Finance pledges made in Dubai from governments, companies and philanthropies more than triple the amount of grant funding for projects focused on cutting methane in the oil and gas, waste and agriculture sectors, with the goal of mobilizing billions more.  This is major progress, though even more funds are necessary to take the aggressive actions necessary to rapidly rein in methane emissions.

“Over 150 countries have now signed the Global Methane Pledge, first launched by the United States and European Union, which demonstrates that many countries realize the benefits to our climate and health to curbing this greenhouse gas. China just recently committed to include methane in its next national climate plan, and the US unveiled new regulations on methane.
  
“The world also now has a robust toolkit to hold countries and companies accountable, including several new satellites to identify major methane leaks.

“Curbing this pollutant is one of the most effective ways to limit warming in the near-term because methane is more potent than carbon dioxide but stays in the atmosphere only about 10 years compared to centuries for carbon dioxide. Methane and other air pollutants mix to create ground-level ozone and particulate pollution, which damage our lungs, cause asthma, and increase the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases – with children at the most risk. 

“The announcements at COP28 could play a pivotal role in reducing methane which will save lives and improve the health of millions of people around the world.”