California today announced a new climate initiative that will recruit sub-national governments globally to commit to mitigating and reducing methane, with founding signatories from Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, Nigeria, and India. The new “Subnational Methane Action Initiative” was launched by Governor Gavin Newsom at Climate Week in New York City. Seven jurisdictions from across the globe have signed on so far. More than 150 countries have agreed to collectively reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030 through the Global Methane Pledge of 2021. Meeting this ambitious, but necessary planet saving target will require significant efforts from sub-national jurisdictions. As the primary regulators of emissions from agriculture, energy and landfills, these levels of government are particularly suited to reducing methane emissions.*
“The climate crisis knows no borders. We’re partnering with governments around the world to tackle methane emissions, a dangerous pollutant that has 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide,” said Gov. Newsom. “By working together on strategies informed by science, like deploying methane detection satellites, we can help address this global threat.”
California set a goal to reduce 40% of its methane emissions by 2030 compared to 2013 levels, and is in the forefront in the US of emission reductions with awakened solutions. This includes $100 million in funding to support a constellation of satellites that can monitor for large methane plumes (AutoInformed on: CARB and United Nations Start Satellites for Climate Action). The California Air Resources Board (CARB), California Environmental Protection Agency and California Natural Resources Agency are collaboratively leading these efforts.
Experts say stopping methane emissions is urgent. The negative effects of other emissions reductions may not be felt until later. However, it only takes a decade for methane to break down. That means methane reductions can reduce the effects of climate change in the short term, and are critical for putting the world on a path to limiting warming by 1.5°C, the amount that scientists estimate would avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
“In California, we know that jurisdictions have an opportunity to lead climate action, and reducing harmful emissions, such as those from methane, is work that all levels of government can play a role in,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “Through this partnership, we are making it clear that progress on big issues–like air quality and climate change–is only possible if we take committed action collectively to leave a healthier planet for future generations.”
Founding signatories from Mexico and South Africa attended the launch event.
Participants in this effort include:
- California (USA)
- Queretaro (Mexico)
- Gauteng (South Africa)
- Espirito Santo (Brazil)
- Cross River State (Nigeria)
- Yucatan (Mexico)
- Delhi (India)
Other partners in the effort include the Climate Group, which convenes sub-national governments for climate action through the Under2 Coalition, and the UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy, and Environment, which will work with state agencies and Initiative members to create action plans, track progress, organize regular peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and share best practices.
*Methane accounts for almost 30% of current global warming and is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, making it a critical target in efforts to curb the impacts of climate change. Research shows that lowering methane emissions can prevent up to 0.3°C of warming by 2050.
AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
California Launches International Methane Reduction Initiative
California today announced a new climate initiative that will recruit sub-national governments globally to commit to mitigating and reducing methane, with founding signatories from Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, Nigeria, and India. The new “Subnational Methane Action Initiative” was launched by Governor Gavin Newsom at Climate Week in New York City. Seven jurisdictions from across the globe have signed on so far. More than 150 countries have agreed to collectively reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030 through the Global Methane Pledge of 2021. Meeting this ambitious, but necessary planet saving target will require significant efforts from sub-national jurisdictions. As the primary regulators of emissions from agriculture, energy and landfills, these levels of government are particularly suited to reducing methane emissions.*
“The climate crisis knows no borders. We’re partnering with governments around the world to tackle methane emissions, a dangerous pollutant that has 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide,” said Gov. Newsom. “By working together on strategies informed by science, like deploying methane detection satellites, we can help address this global threat.”
California set a goal to reduce 40% of its methane emissions by 2030 compared to 2013 levels, and is in the forefront in the US of emission reductions with awakened solutions. This includes $100 million in funding to support a constellation of satellites that can monitor for large methane plumes (AutoInformed on: CARB and United Nations Start Satellites for Climate Action). The California Air Resources Board (CARB), California Environmental Protection Agency and California Natural Resources Agency are collaboratively leading these efforts.
Experts say stopping methane emissions is urgent. The negative effects of other emissions reductions may not be felt until later. However, it only takes a decade for methane to break down. That means methane reductions can reduce the effects of climate change in the short term, and are critical for putting the world on a path to limiting warming by 1.5°C, the amount that scientists estimate would avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
“In California, we know that jurisdictions have an opportunity to lead climate action, and reducing harmful emissions, such as those from methane, is work that all levels of government can play a role in,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “Through this partnership, we are making it clear that progress on big issues–like air quality and climate change–is only possible if we take committed action collectively to leave a healthier planet for future generations.”
Founding signatories from Mexico and South Africa attended the launch event.
Participants in this effort include:
Other partners in the effort include the Climate Group, which convenes sub-national governments for climate action through the Under2 Coalition, and the UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy, and Environment, which will work with state agencies and Initiative members to create action plans, track progress, organize regular peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and share best practices.
*Methane accounts for almost 30% of current global warming and is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, making it a critical target in efforts to curb the impacts of climate change. Research shows that lowering methane emissions can prevent up to 0.3°C of warming by 2050.
AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.