Australia abstaining from methane emissions pledge signed by 90 nations

Nearly 90 countries have joined a US and EU-led effort to slash emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane 30 per cent by 2030, but Australia, China, India and Russia did not sign the pledge.

Attendees in the Blue Zone during the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, Britain, 2 November 2021. Source: AAP

Dozens of countries on Tuesday joined a United States and European Union pledge to cut emissions of methane - a potent greenhouse gas - by at least 30 per cent this decade, in a major commitment for climate action.

The initiative, which experts say could have a powerful short-term impact on global heating, followed an announcement earlier Tuesday at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in which more than 100 nations agreed to end deforestation by 2030.

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