GENEVA — In a major step towards combating climate change, the United States, China, and Azerbaijan launched a summit today at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) focused on the reduction of methane and other potent non-CO2 greenhouse gases, which drive nearly half of global warming impacts. These “super pollutants”—including hydrofluorocarbons, nitrous oxide, and tropospheric ozone—are often overlooked but are many times more harmful to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.
“Reducing these super pollutants is one of the fastest ways to address climate change,” said Patricia Espinosa, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. “If we are to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, these gases must be cut along with carbon dioxide.”
Summit participants announced more than $2 billion in new global funding for methane mitigation. The European Commission committed an additional 105.6 million Euros ($114 million) to methane reduction, adding to its investments in recent years, while the World Bank outlined its plans to scale methane reduction projects across high-emitting sectors.
“By investing in methane abatement, we’re ensuring that countries have the resources they need to meet emission targets and create lasting climate resilience,” said Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank. The bank’s “Blueprint for Methane Reduction” initiative has launched projects in 15 nations, aiming to reduce up to 10 million tons of methane emissions.
The summit also highlighted national efforts. John Podesta, U.S. Senior Advisor for International Climate Policy, announced new regulations aimed at reducing methane from the oil, gas, and waste sectors. “The U.S. is committed to leading on this issue. Our rules incentivize emissions reductions that are necessary for a sustainable future,” Podesta said.
China’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, Liu Zhenmin, emphasized China’s actions under its Methane Emissions Control Action Plan, including setting stricter limits on coalbed methane. “We’re enhancing our capacities and policy framework to manage methane emissions effectively,” he stated.
Further policy initiatives came from nations including South Korea, which launched a $20 million partnership with ASEAN countries for methane mitigation, and Brazil, which introduced targets for methane and other short-lived climate pollutants in its National Climate Change Plan.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) launched its Reducing Agricultural Methane Program, with a target to raise up to $900 million for low-emission agriculture. “Our aim is to support over three million people directly and reach an additional 10 million indirectly through these initiatives,” said an IFAD spokesperson.
New scientific tools and monitoring systems were also unveiled. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) introduced the first Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment, highlighting that global nitrous oxide emissions could be reduced by 40 percent. MethaneSAT and the Carbon Mapper Coalition launched methane-detecting satellites to provide accurate data on emissions, while GHGSat announced plans to expand its satellite fleet by 2026.
Environmental organizations praised the summit’s ambitious goals. “Today’s pledges represent crucial steps forward,” said Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency. “If these commitments are realized, we can make measurable progress in reducing super pollutants and their impact on climate.”
The summit’s initiatives reinforce calls from global leaders for the inclusion of all greenhouse gases in 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets aligned with the Paris Agreement, a move summit leaders say is critical for achieving climate stability.
As the summit concluded, Azerbaijan’s COP 29 President Mukhtar Babayev stated, “Our collective action against methane and other super pollutants can drive immediate climate benefits. This summit marks a decisive move toward rapid and sustained emissions reductions.”
