Context:

Global Methane Status Report was released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) at the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) Ministerial meeting at COP30. The report highlights that the world remains significantly off-track to achieve the target of reducing methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030, although notable progress has been made since the launch of the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) in 2021.

Why Methane Matters?

Methane is responsible for nearly one-third of current global warming. It is a potent greenhouse gas with 80 times more warming potential than CO₂ over a 20-year period, making rapid methane cuts one of the fastest strategies to slow near-term warming and support achievement of the Paris Agreement goal.

About Global Methane Pledge (GMP):

The Global Methane Pledge (GMP) is a commitment by 159 countries to collectively reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030, aiming to limit global warming.

Launched at COP26 in 2021 by the European Union and the U.S., the pledge focuses on high-impact sectors like fossil fuels, agriculture, and waste.

Ministerial Response at COP30:

• • Strengthened monitoring and transparency
  • Rapid deployment of methane solutions in high-emitting sectors
  • Financial and technological support for developing countries
  • Integration of methane cuts into national climate strategies

Challenges Identified during the meeting:

• • Implementation gaps between pledges and actual reductions
  • Insufficient regulatory enforcement in high-emitting sectors
  • Lack of accurate emissions data in several developing countries
  • Financial and technological constraints, especially in agriculture and waste sectors

Projected Benefits of Methane Action:

·        0.2°C avoided warming by mid-century

·        Over 180,000 premature deaths prevented annually by 2030

·        Nearly 19 million tonnes of crops saved each year

·        Economic gains exceeding $330 billion annually

Implications for India:

India, though not a signatory to the Global Methane Pledge, is a major methane emitter due to agriculture (especially livestock) and waste. The findings underscore the importance of:

• • Modernizing agricultural practices
  • Expanding waste-to-energy and biogas programmes
  • Enhancing methane measurement systems
  • Leveraging international financing for methane reduction

Reducing methane could also support India’s goals under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and improve rural livelihoods.

Conclusion:

The COP30 call for accelerated methane reductions underscores the urgency of addressing a pollutant that offers one of the quickest pathways to curb near-term global warming. The new UNEP-CCAC assessment reveals progress but warns that the world is still far from the trajectory needed to meet the Global Methane Pledge. With available technologies and growing international commitment, the next few years will be crucial in translating pledges into concrete actions to safeguard the 1.5°C target.