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Biden made the remarks throughout a digital assembly of the Main Economies Discussion board (FILE)
Washington:
US 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 to unveil new US 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 scale 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 line with a White Home abstract of the assembly, which famous these international locations symbolize six of the highest 15 methane emitters globally.
Tackling local weather change is considered one of Biden’s high home and worldwide priorities, and the UN COP26 local weather convention in Glasgow from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12 is seen as a vital 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 to chop emissions sufficient to cap international 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 goal to scale back international methane emissions by at the very least 30% beneath 2020 ranges by 2030.
“This won’t solely quickly scale back the speed of world warming, however … it would additionally produce a really precious aspect profit like enhancing public well being and agricultural output,” Biden advised the leaders.
“We imagine the collective aim is each bold however lifelike, and we urge you to affix us in saying this pledge at COP26,” Biden mentioned.
Globally, methane emissions are chargeable for round 30% of warming for the reason that pre-industrial period, in line with the United Nations. A current report by U.N. local weather scientists mentioned that reducing methane emissions is the quickest technique to decelerate international warming.
After pledging the UK’s dedication to the aim, Johnson urged different nations to make good use of the lead-up to the subsequent local weather summit.
“Over the subsequent 1,000 hours between now and everybody coming to COP26, we should do the work that may enable us to return to Glasgow bearing the bold NDCs – Nationally Decided Contributions -and rock-solid commitments on coal, automobiles and bushes,” Johnson mentioned, pointing to the significance of securing funds to spur compliance by poorer nations.
“We should get severe about filling the $100 billion pot that the growing world wants with a view 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 Basic Antonio 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 line with a White Home readout of the assembly.
Biden mentioned he needed 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 reducing 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 … beneath 1.5 levels and maintain that inside attain,” Biden mentioned.
Leaders and activists warned of doubtless disastrous penalties.
“Underneath present insurance policies, we’ll attain nearly 3 levels of world warming by the top of the century,” Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi mentioned, in line with remarks launched by his workplace. “The results of such a rise in international temperatures can be catastrophic.”
Biden introduced in April a brand new goal to scale back US greenhouse gasoline emissions 50%-52% by 2030 in contrast with 2005 ranges. Biden has been emphasizing local weather change repeatedly in current weeks within the wake of harm from devastating floods and wildfires throughout the USA.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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