US President Joe Biden wants to reduce methane emissions in his country drastically. Large amounts of greenhouse gas are released through leakages at oil, gas, and mining companies.
Methane is the second-largest cause of climate change after CO2 and is, therefore, an important topic at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, where Biden will also be present.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the fossil fuel industry was responsible for nearly one-third of all methane released by human activity last year. Solutions such as leak repairs are relatively cheap, according to the organization. Methane is the main component of natural gas. In addition, the US Department of Agriculture is coming up with a plan that encourages farmers to exploit and sell methane.
In October, the IEA warned that urgent action is needed within the oil and gas and mining industries. In order to emit net zero greenhouse gases by 2050, energy companies will have to emit 75 percent less methane in nine years, the agency estimates.
At the climate summit in Glasgow, the United States, among others, will be looked at for leadership. The country is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. President Biden has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent by 2030.
