Nearly 90 countries are joining forces to cut global methane emissions by 2030 percent by 30. Norway will contribute to the reduction of emissions from waste and oil, and at the same time will reduce national methane emissions in the coming years.
Norway is participating in an important international initiative
The United States and the EU have taken the initiative to intensify global efforts to reduce global methane emissions. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre took part in the Glasgow climate negotiations (COP26) on Tuesday 2 November along with US President Joe Biden and several other heads of state.
Important for limiting methane emissions
Methane has a 28 times greater impact on the atmosphere than the greenhouse gas CO2. Methane emissions have already contributed 0,5 degrees to global warming.
– Methane concentrations in the atmosphere are now rising faster than at any time since 1980. We need to do something about these emissions to stay within 1,5 degrees of warming, says the Minister of Climate and Environment Espen Barth Eide.
25 percent reduction in methane emissions
Norway has already reduced its methane emissions between 1990 and 2019 by around 25%, mainly thanks to measures in the waste and oil and gas sectors. The country also participates in international efforts to reduce methane emissions, in particular through participation in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the Arctic Council.
– Norway has already done a lot to reduce methane emissions, especially from waste, oil and gas. We will continue to reduce methane emissions in the coming years. In addition, we have many lessons that are useful for other countries, he says Barth Eide.
Profitable measures
- In many other countries, large reductions in methane can be achieved by measures such as sealing leaks in oil and gas production. This statement sheds light on exactly that, says Barth Eide.
The methane initiative launched today highlights that available and cost-effective methane measures have the potential to reduce expected warming by 0,2 degrees by 2050. At the same time, these measures have important additional benefits, such as improved public health and yields.
Source: regjeringen.no
