Australia refused to join the “methane pact“proposed by the European Union and the United States, which aims to reduce global emissions of this greenhouse gas by 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. According to the Australian Minister of Energy , Angus Taylor, reducing methane emissions would compromise the prosperity and quality of life of the island continent.
The EU and the United States announced on October 11 the conclusion of this methane pact. A total of 35 countries have joined the agreement, including nine of the 20 largest producers of methane. According to experts, this gas is the second most important cause of climate change after CO2.
Australia is a major producer of fossil fuels, which generate large amounts of greenhouse gases. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the country is responsible for 0.7% of global methane emissions. In addition, methane accounted for almost a quarter of all Australia’s emissions in 2019.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday agreed to a plan to eliminate net emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2050, while refusing to enshrine the commitment in law. The pledge comes just days before Mr Morrison leaves for the UN climate summit COP26, to be held next month in Glasgow.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s energy ministry has announced that its country will sign the methane pact. South Korea wants to reduce its methane emissions to 19.7 million tonnes by 2030, about 30% below the current level.
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