Agriculture methane targeted in climate pledge

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Agriculture methane targeted in climate pledge

Agriculture is one of three main areas President Biden has focused on to reduce methane as part of the Global Methane Pledge announced at the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP26).

The administration is proposing two new rules to reduce methane losses from new and existing oil and gas pipelines and to reduce wasteful and potentially dangerous leaks from natural gas pipelines.

“We’re also launching a new initiative to work with our farmers and our ranchers to introduce climate-smart agriculture practices and reduce methane on farms which is a significant source as well,” Biden says.

Biden is referring to his executive order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad where the USDA is charged with creating voluntary, incentive-based approaches that will advance climate goals. 

More than 100 governments have made the pledge to reduce the world’s methane emissions 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030. The United Nations Environment Program cites agriculture methane as making up 40 percent of emissions while fossil fuels and waste account for 55 percent.

The U.S. has also joined more than 75 countries and organizations for the Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) during the event which plans to increase and accelerate agricultural and food systems innovation in support of climate action.