UN report flags Indias rising methane emissions, highlights agricultural gaps

India, the world’s third-largest methane emitter, faces mounting strain to behave on agricultural emissions as a brand new UN report warns that world methane ranges are nonetheless rising regardless of improved projections for 2030. The Global Methane Status Report, launched on November 17 by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) at COP30 in Belem, reveals that whereas progress has been made because the Global Methane Pledge was launched in 2021, the world stays removed from assembly its goal of chopping methane emissions by 30% from 2020 ranges by the tip of this decade.

Julie Dabrusin, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Co-Convener of the Global Methane Pledge, mentioned, “This report is a vital evaluation of our progress and a key indicator of the work that’s required to satisfy the Global Methane Pledge purpose. In simply 4 years, we’ve got made enhancements, however we should proceed to drive sooner, deeper methane cuts.”

She added, “Every tonne lowered brings us nearer to cleaner air, extra resilient communities, and a thriving world financial system. It is essential for all nations which have agreed to the Global Methane Pledge to proceed to work carefully collectively to drive momentum on methane mitigation, turning ambition into tangible advantages for the planet.”

India emitted about 31 million tonnes of methane in 2020, accounting for 9% of world emissions. Agriculture dominates its methane profile, contributing 12% of world agricultural methane, one of many highest shares worldwide. Livestock and rice cultivation are the principle contributors, and emissions from rice are projected to rise by eight% between 2020 and 2030. The report additionally flagged India as a significant hotspot for crop residue burning, which continues to extend regardless of world declines, and it warned of persistent waste-management challenges that may initially elevate methane emissions earlier than enhancements take impact.

Alarmingly, India’s present local weather commitments don’t establish actions to cut back emissions from agriculture, its largest methane supply. This omission might hinder progress towards world targets and undermine efforts to curb warming, the report mentioned.

Globally, methane, a greenhouse fuel over 80 occasions stronger than carbon dioxide over a 20-year interval, is answerable for practically a 3rd of present warming. The report finds that though emissions are nonetheless rising, new waste rules in Europe and North America and slower progress in pure fuel markets have lowered projected ranges in contrast with earlier forecasts. If nations totally implement their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Methane Action Plans, emissions might fall by eight% by 2030, the biggest and most sustained decline in historical past, the report mentioned. But this stays far in need of the 30% discount wanted to maintain the 1.5°C purpose inside attain.

Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, added, “The Global Methane Pledge has remodeled ambition into tangible progress. Across sectors and continents, nations and firms are proving that methane reductions are achievable — and ship cleaner air, stronger economies, and a safer local weather. Our job now’s to scale these options quickly, working collectively to maintain 1.5°C inside attain and safe a more healthy future for our individuals and our planet.”

The report underscores that 72% of world methane mitigation potential lies in G20+ nations, which emit 65% of world anthropogenic methane. Full-scale implementation of most technically possible reductions might lower emissions from these economies by 36% between 2020 and 2030. Over 80% of this potential may be achieved at low annual price, lower than USD 1,000 per tonne of methane. The power sector presents the biggest share of ready-to-implement measures, accounting for 72% of world mitigation potential, adopted by agriculture and waste.

For India, interventions akin to improved water administration in rice cultivation, higher manure dealing with, and alternate options to crop residue burning might ship important reductions, however these require sturdy coverage indicators, financing and farmer engagement.

Full implementation might keep away from 0.2°C of warming by 2050, stop 180,000 untimely deaths yearly, and avert practically 19 million tonnes of crop losses annually by 2030. The financial worth of those advantages is estimated at greater than $330 billion yearly, in comparison with an estimated $127 billion price of mitigation. When factoring within the broader social price of methane, the advantages can be even better. Yet the report warned that methane finance stays removed from assembly 2030 wants and referred to as for stronger measurement and reporting techniques to make sure transparency and observe progress.

Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNEP, mentioned, “Reducing methane emissions is among the most rapid and efficient steps we will take to gradual the local weather disaster whereas defending human well being. Reducing methane additionally reduces crop losses, important for each agriculture productiveness and meals safety. UNEP is dedicated to serving to nations flip ambition into motion to make sure the options on this report ship actual advantages for individuals and the planet.”

The Global Methane Pledge now consists of 159 nations and the European Commission. UNEP works by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) to bridge knowledge, coverage and motion. The report framed the subsequent 5 years as decisive, “The decisions made within the subsequent 5 years will decide whether or not the world seizes this chance, unlocking cleaner air, stronger economies, and a safer local weather for generations to come back.”

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