It’s no longer about building momentum, but rather sprinting to the finish line when it comes to mitigating global methane emissions. This has been the core message from world leaders in discussions regarding the methane crisis at COP28 in Dubai.
During the 2023 Global Methane Pledge Ministerial that took place on Dec. 4, partners announced over $1 billion in new grant funding for methane action mobilized since COP27, more than triple current levels, which will mobilize billions in investment to reduce methane.
This past April, US President Joe Biden launched the Methane Finance Sprint at the Major Economies Forum, and this year at COP28, governments, the European Commission, philanthropies and the private sector significantly exceeded the initial target of $200 million with their contributions.
These funds will support cutting methane emissions across all sectors with a focus in low- and middle-income countries. This is a massive increase in funding that could leverage additional funding for projects to mitigate methane in the waste, oil and gas, coal and agriculture sectors.
How CCAP is Meeting the Challenge
Through the Recycle Organics (RO) program, CCAP is supporting 20+ developing countries around the world to reduce methane emissions from the waste sector and move them closer to reaching the Global Methane Pledge of a 30% reduction in methane emissions by 2030. The RO Program helps some of the most vulnerable countries progress towards achieving a circular and carbon-neutral waste sector, while overcoming regulatory barriers and creating enabling frameworks for project execution.
+30.1 Million tons of CO2 equivalent mitigated in 20 years with the 40 assisted projects
As part of this program, CCAP recently published public policy recommendations to overcome barriers for methane mitigation in the solid waste sector in six Latin American countries. The report provides case studies and examples from around the world on how to overcome the most common barriers to reducing methane emissions from the waste sector.
Earlier this year, CCAP and its partners launched the Community of Practice on Reducing Methane Emissions from Organic Sources in Latin America. This new initiative connects country representatives to facilitate peer-to-peer learning, knowledge exchange and provide technical support with the aim of implementing methane mitigation projects quickly and effectively and potentially replicating them across the region.
CCAP is also developing a national program to reduce methane emissions from the waste sector in Peru, under the Mitigation Action Facility. The goal of Peru’s Waste NAMA is to reimagine the country’s waste sector. The Program could lead to the direct reduction of 12.34 million tCO2e over 20 years – equivalent to emissions from 3 coal-fired power plants for one year.
CCAP Joined the Methane Momentum at COP28
CCAP joined the COP28 methane momentum, participating in a Side Event on reducing methane emissions in Chile, discussing the results, progress and success of the country's national efforts and international support. Methane Mitigation Program Manager Brooks Shaffer presented on a panel to speak about the remaining barriers to methane mitigation in the waste sector and how to overcome them.
Chile has been leading the way in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region when it comes to implementing ambitious policies aimed at lowering methane emissions. The panelists drew from examples regarding their various experiences and initiatives in supporting developing countries to cut methane emissions, such as Recycle Organics and Chile’s success with the program, to promote replication regionally and globally.
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CCAP’s mission is to support every step of climate action, from ambition to implementation. A recognized world leader in climate policy and action, CCAP creates innovative, replicable climate solutions, strengthens capacities, and promotes best practices across the local, national, and international levels to accelerate the transition to a net-zero, climate resilient future. CCAP was founded in 1985 and is based in Washington, DC.