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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Italian alpine rescuers climb a frozen waterfall in Malga Ciapela, Italy, February 11, 2020. Image taken February 11, 2020. Twice a month all year long members of the Italian Alpine Rescue Service (CNSAS), lots of whom are volunteers,
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By Jeff Mason and Alexandra Alper
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden urged world leaders on Friday to affix the USA and European Union in a pledge to chop methane emissions, hoping to construct momentum earlier than a world summit on local weather change begins subsequent month.
Biden made the remarks throughout a digital assembly of the Main Economies Discussion board (MEF), a follow-up to an Earth Day assembly he hosted in April https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-climate-summit-idCAKBN2CA0DK to unveil new U.S. greenhouse gasoline emissions discount targets and press different international locations to do extra to curb theirs.
The UK heeded the decision, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledging to be among the many first signatories of the International Methane Pledge to cut back emissions of the dangerous gasoline.
Argentina, Indonesia, Italy and Mexico additionally joined the alliance, whereas Ghana and Iraq signaled curiosity in becoming a member of, in response to a White Home abstract of the assembly, which famous these international locations characterize six of the highest 15 methane emitters globally.
Tackling local weather change is certainly one of Biden’s prime home and worldwide priorities, and the U.N. COP26 local weather convention https://www.reuters.com/enterprise/surroundings/chinas-hard-climate-stance-with-us-imperils-glasgow-talks-2021-09-15 in Glasgow from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12 is seen as a crucial second for the world to decide to doing extra to halt rising temperatures.
The United Nations mentioned on Thursday the tempo of local weather change had not been slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the world was dropping its battle https://www.reuters.com/enterprise/surroundings/un-says-world-likely-miss-climate-targets-despite-covid-pause-emissions-2021-09-16 to chop emissions sufficient to cap world warming at 1.5 levels Celsius above pre-industrial ranges. Scientists say that is the naked minimal to keep away from probably the most catastrophic results of local weather change.
Biden requested different nations on Friday to affix a pact agreed by the USA and the EU to intention to cut back world methane emissions by at the very least 30% under 2020 ranges by 2030.
“This is not going to solely quickly cut back the speed of worldwide warming, however … it would additionally produce a really worthwhile aspect profit like enhancing public well being and agricultural output,” Biden advised the leaders.
“We imagine the collective aim is each bold however practical, and we urge you to affix us in asserting this pledge at COP26,” Biden mentioned.
Globally, methane emissions are accountable https://www.reuters.com/enterprise/surroundings/save-planet-focus-cutting-methane-un-climate-report-2021-08-09 for round 30% of warming for the reason that pre-industrial period, in response to the United Nations. A latest report by U.N. local weather scientists mentioned that chopping methane emissions is the quickest approach to decelerate world warming.
After pledging the UK’s dedication to the aim, Johnson urged different nations to make good use of the lead-up to the following local weather summit.
“Over the following 1,000 hours between now and everybody coming to COP26, we should do the work that may permit us to come back to Glasgow bearing the bold NDCs – Nationally Decided Contributions – and rock-solid commitments on coal, vehicles and bushes,” Johnson mentioned, pointing to the significance of securing funds to spur compliance by poorer nations.
“We should get critical about filling the $100 billion pot that the creating world wants with a purpose to do its bit.”
Leaders from Argentina, Bangladesh, Indonesia, South Korea, Mexico, Britain and the European Union took half within the MEF, together with United Nations Secretary Common António Guterres, the White Home mentioned.
Biden additionally requested Particular Presidential Envoy for Local weather John Kerry to chair a ministerial session instantly following with China, Germany, India and Russia, in response to a White Home readout of the assembly.
Biden mentioned he wished to make use of the MEF to enrich different local weather change boards and his staff, together with Kerry, is working to push international locations to set bold targets for chopping their greenhouse gasoline emissions.
“No matter commitments we make at COP26, we should all resolve collectively in Glasgow to proceed strengthening our ambition and our actions … to maintain us … under 1.5 levels and maintain that inside attain,” Biden mentioned.
Leaders and activists warned of probably disastrous penalties.
“Beneath present insurance policies, we’ll attain virtually 3 levels of worldwide warming by the tip of the century,” Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi mentioned, in response to remarks launched by his workplace. “The results of such a rise in world temperatures can be catastrophic.”
Biden introduced in April a brand new goal to cut back U.S. greenhouse gasoline emissions 50%-52% by 2030 in contrast with 2005 ranges. Biden has been emphasizing local weather change repeatedly in latest weeks within the wake of injury from devastating floods and wildfires throughout the USA.
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