Jun 14, 20231 min read

The Global Methane Pledge

Updated: Aug 15, 2023

The Global Methane Pledge is an initiative launched by the United States and the European Union in September of 2021 with the goal of reducing global methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.

A stovetop with a methane flame with the text "The Global Methane Pledge" foregrounded.

Australia is one of 122 countries that have signed the Global Methane Pledge, first announced in October of 2022. The Australian government has committed to reducing methane emissions from the agriculture, waste and energy sectors. This decision was criticised by Nationals Leader, David Littleproud, who suggested that this enforced reduction of methane emissions would "kill the weekend."

Australian Farmers were also critical of the proposed emissions pledge with the National Farmer's Federation president, Fiona Simpson, requesting that the government "lead climate change policy that charts a course for agriculture and the bush to not only survive but thrive in a reduced-emissions future and this includes all sectors such livestock, cropping, horticulture and forestry."

Ms. Simpson also warned that if the methane pledge were to result in plans to "cut agricultural production or livestock numbers, especially at a time of record food prices” then this would be “vigorously” opposed by the NFF as this is “not just an agricultural issue, this is a global food security issue”.

In the 2022 budget the government allocated $3 Billion of the government's overall $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund to support methane reduction in the agricultural sector along with other clean technology initiatives.