Going beyond CO2: Strengthening action on global methane emissions under the UN climate regime

Abstract

According to the 1.5°C Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, limiting global warming to 1.5 or 2°C, as specified in the Paris Agreement, will require significant reductions, both in cumulative carbon dioxide emissions and in short-lived climate pollutants, including methane. This article seeks to explore how action on global methane emissions could be strengthened under the United Nations climate regime, particularly through the Paris Agreement. To answer this question, the article begins by analysing the existing methane mitigation and reporting commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement and the Paris rulebook. The article then explores the possibilities to further strengthen these commitments through the Paris Agreement. Methane can be targeted in future rounds of nationally determined contributions through specified methane mitigation targets and strategies. The reporting of methane emissions will significantly improve through the enhanced transparency framework of the Paris Agreement and the reporting guidelines agreed under the Paris rulebook. In addition, the article identifies several further opportunities for strengthening action on methane under the Paris Agreement, including through its sustainable development mechanism, long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies, global stocktake, support and non-party action.