Obama, Trudeau target methane emissions

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and President Barack Obama have committed to reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sectors.

President Barack Obama speaks with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington Source: AAP

The leaders of the United States and Canada are seeking to curb methane emissions by undertaking regulations that would target oil and gas production.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Barack Obama committed to reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sectors by at least 40 per cent over the next decade from 2012 levels.

It's a goal the Obama administration had cited previously when proposing rules to curb methane.

Now, the administration is expanding its effort. And Canada is joining in.

The agreement commits the two countries to regulating methane emissions from new and existing oil and gas production.

Industry groups say the effort could hurt consumers.

Environmental groups are applauding it and cite it as a major shift for Canada after disagreement over the Keystone XL pipeline.