Methane Clips: May 13, 2024

 

Amid Trade Strife, U.S., Chinese Officials Engage On Methane, Coal Efforts — “Top Biden administration officials are continuing to discuss with their Chinese counterparts steps to reduce methane emissions, while also pushing China to speed its plans to phase down coal use, even as the U.S. is poised to impose heavy tariffs on Chinese solar panels and batteries. Officials from the two countries met May 8-9 as part of a working group created to enhance climate action ‘in the 2020s,’ which is led by White House international climate chief John Podesta and Chinese climate envoy Liu Zhenmin. The countries are reaffirming plans to host a second ‘summit’ about methane and other non-CO2 greenhouse gases at this November’s international climate conference in Azerbaijan, following the initial such summit at last year’s United Nations gathering in Dubai. A State Department readout of the recent meeting says the countries will develop and improve measurement, reporting and verification systems and standards aimed at achieving ‘significant methane emissions control and reductions’ this decade.” [Inside EPA, 5/10/24 (=)]

 

AFP | US, China Pledge Joint Methane Action At Climate Talks — “The United States and China promised Friday to work together on reduction of methane, the second most abundant greenhouse gas, after talks between the climate envoys of the world’s two largest emitters. Chinese climate envoy Liu Zhenmin and White House climate advisor John Podesta met for the first time since the departure of their predecessors, whose unusually close relationship helped bring consensus at last year’s COP28 summit in Dubai. In the two days of talks this week in Washington, the pair looked for ways of ‘promoting a successful COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan,’ the next climate summit which takes place in November, the US State Department said in a statement. Ahead of the Dubai summit, China promised a broad plan to tackle methane, of which it is the world’s largest emitter -- an especially touchy political issue as methane comes mostly from its coal mining.” [Barron’s, 5/10/24 (=)]

 

US, China To Discuss Methane At COP29 Summit, Says State Dept — “The U.S.-China Climate Working Group intends to discuss methane and non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gasses at the upcoming United Nations COP29 climate summit, the U.S. Department of State said on Friday following the group’s talks in Washington this week. The summit will be held in November in Azerbaijan.” [Reuters, 5/10/24 (=)]

 

Podesta’s Climate Gambit With China — “Podesta and Liu are expected to discuss how to deliver on a joint deal reached last October to cut methane emissions and boost renewable energy to jump-start a shift away from oil, gas and coal. But it’s colliding with growing tensions between the Biden administration and China over a wave of cheap solar parts into the U.S. that is deterring domestic efforts to expand American manufacturing of panels and components. Looming over any bilateral engagement are the U.S. elections in November and the uncertainty they cast over President Joe Biden’s climate policy. ‘It’s this balancing act, and because it’s an election year, it’s going to be harder to make a lot of progress on climate,’ said Lewis. … There are areas for U.S.-China engagement that could avoid friction. Those include efforts to cut methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas that both countries produce in abundance; and collaboration at the state and provincial level. Both are pieces of the so-called Sunnylands deal reached last year that Podesta and Liu are expected to expand on during their two-day meeting. Some climate experts say Podesta can manage his dual roles while moving the U.S.-China relationship forward.” [E&E News, 5/8/24 (=)]

 

Op-Ed: Montanans Love The State’s Constitution. Why Doesn’t Northwestern Energy? — According to Karen Stears, “Soon, Montanans will have an opportunity to show support for our constitutional rights while witnessing democracy in action. On May 15 at 9:30 a.m., in Helena, the public can observe the Montana Supreme Court hear a case that could have immense consequences for our health, finances, and the prosperity of future generations. In simple terms, the hearing will explore how NorthWestern Energy’s controversial methane-fired plant under construction in Laurel sits with Montanans’ constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. Unfortunately, the monopoly energy corporation has repeatedly shown greater concern with expanding executive salaries and shareholder profits than with respecting our laws or caring for our future.” [Yahoo!, 5/21/24 (+)]

 

 

 

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