BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 12. The presidency of COP29 is dedicated to advancing efforts aimed at reducing methane emissions, said Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP29 and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, TurkicWorld reports.
Speaking at the COP29 summit on methane and non-CO2 greenhouse gases, Babayev emphasized that data shows the need to cut emissions by 42 percent by 2030 to stay on track with the 1.5-degree Celsius target.
"To meet these timelines, reducing emissions of non-CO2 greenhouse gases is crucial. These gases account for nearly one-third of anthropogenic emissions and contribute significantly to global warming, yet there are cost-effective methods to address them. Last year, parties agreed under the EU consensus to accelerate the global reduction of non-CO2 emissions by 2030, and we are committed to maintaining this course," Babayev said.
This year, he laid it all on the line, saying that COP29’s presidency is all about tackling methane head-on, raising the bar, and making sure we don’t just talk the talk but walk the walk when it comes to climate action.
"This means building on the work of previous COPs. We already have a solid foundation with the Global Methane Pledge. Over 158 countries have committed to reducing global methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030. We urge all other nations to join this initiative and increase their methane reduction targets. However, signing the pledge is just the beginning. We must back these ambitions with real, concrete actions," he added.
