Ovunc Kutlu
17 September 2021•Update: 17 September 2021
ANKARA
US President Joe Biden on Friday asked EU and other partners to launch a Global Methane Pledge that would reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.
"This will not only rapidly reduce the rate of global warming, but it will also produce a very valuable side benefit, like improving public health and agricultural output," Biden said during a virtual meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate.
Emphasizing that the world is at "an inflection point," he said there is a real consensus on climate crisis posing an existential threat.
"The finding from the new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change represents a code red for humanity. And the time to act is really narrowing ... close to a point of no return. We don’t have a lot of time ... we have to act now," he told.
Besides the target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the president noted the US has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions between 50%-52% below 2005 levels by the year 2030.
He noted that the countries representing the Major Economies Forum account for 80% of global emissions.
"We’re mobilizing support to help developing countries that join and pledge to do something significant," he said, adding a $100 billion a year for the developing world.
Biden's comments came before the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP26, which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland between Oct. 31 and Nov. 12 under the presidency of the UK.
The president said he wants to forge a political momentum to drive actions in four key areas -- energy, industry, land, and ocean.
He added that he plans to bring together ministers in January to discuss clean energy goals in power, transportation, industry and building sectors.
