Mexican government signs COP26 plan to reduce methane emissions

The Mexican government delivered its “formal union to the call” at the COP26 climate summit for “the declaration of forests and land use.”

The statement was released after the United Kingdom published the list of signatories of the declaration, in which Mexico did not appear. However, the Mexican government indicated that it was subsequently signed.

Cop26 protesters outside the summit. Photo: Courtesy

The document invites countries to commit to ending deforestation in the next decade, which is considered essential in the fight against climate change.

The Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use was published by the United Kingdom on the COP26 website during the climate summit taking place in Scotland’s largest city.

The document states that the countries commit to “preserve forests and other terrestrial ecosystems and accelerate their restoration” as well as to facilitate trade and development policies that “promote sustainable development” and that “do not lead to deforestation and land degradation.”

Over 100 countries pleaded to reduce their methane emissions by 2030. Photo: Courtesy

The countries that signed, which include the United States, members of the European Union, Brazil, and Argentina, have in their territories more than 85% of the world’s forests. They account for just over 40% of methane emissions, a gas responsible for “about 30%” of the global warming accumulated since the industrial revolution, leaders at COP26 recalled. 

More than US$19 billion in public and private funds were pledged for the plan.

This year’s edition of the COP26 is taking place in Glasglow, Scotland. Photo: Courtesy

Almost 100 countries are committed to reducing methane emissions. But the agreement was not signed by China, India, or Russia, three of the five largest emitters on the planet. In particular, Russia, a giant in gas extraction, has a high percentage of methane leaks in its gas distribution pipelines to Europe.

The goal is to cut methane emissions by 30% by the end of this decade.

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