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 Friday.
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In April, President Joe Biden called on other countries to join the United States in raising $200 million in support for developing countries.
That goal will be met thanks to contributions from Washington and other countries, the US official said on condition of anonymity.
Greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide contribute to more than half of climate change, although they receive far less attention.
Around 150 countries are participating in an initiative launched in 2021 with the goal of reducing global methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels.
This target is supposed to help limit warming to 0.2°C by 2050.
China, the world’s top emitter, has agreed for the first time to include all greenhouse gases in its next national climate pledge for 2035, under a deal reached with the United States earlier this week.
China, the United States, along with COP28 host the United Arab Emirates, will co-host a summit on methane and non-CO2 greenhouse gases during the negotiations, which run from November 30 to December 12.
The US official acknowledged that billions of dollars are needed globally to reduce methane emissions.
These occur in the oil and natural gas production process, but are also linked to landfills or agricultural or industrial activities.
Scientists consider it essential to limit long-term global warming to 1.5°C to avoid the most serious and potentially irreversible effects of climate change.
The planet is currently on track to warm by 2.3°C by 2100.
