A new Global Methane Initiative has been launched by the United State's Environmental Protection Agency and Mexico's Ministry of Environment along with thirty-six other countries, the European Commission, the Asian Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. This initiative urges stronger international action to address near-term climate change. The initiative expands on existing global efforts to reduce emissions of methane. EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, Gina McCarthy, represented the agency at the meetings that took place in Mexico City.
"Through this growing partnership we can convert this harmful pollutant into clean energy and create new economic prospects for people around the world," EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said. "EPA estimates that an enhanced global effort to reduce methane emissions could achieve reductions of more than 1.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, about the same as the annual emissions from more than 280 million cars."
The initiative will build on the existing structure and success of the Methane to Markets Partnership, while enhancing and expanding its efforts and encouraging new financial commitments from developed country partners. The Methane to Markets Partnership is one of the most effective international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, growing from 14 to 38 country partners, representing approximately 70% of global methane emissions today. More than 1,000 public and private sector organizations are members of the project network.
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