Time for China to get serious about its methane emissions

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Economist or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: China, the world's largest methane emitter, is beginning to address its significant methane emissions, which constitute about 14% of the global total
• While the country has set ambitious goals for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, its efforts to manage methane, a potent greenhouse gas, are just starting to take shape

🔭 The context: Methane is more than 25 times as effective as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period, making it a critical target for climate action
• China's methane emissions stem largely from coal mining, agriculture (especially livestock), and waste management, areas where the country is slowly starting to implement controls

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Tackling methane emissions is crucial for limiting global warming in the near term, and China's actions will be pivotal given its large share of global emissions
• Failure to address this issue could undermine global climate goals despite progress on carbon dioxide

⏭️ What's next: As China mulls strategies for reducing methane, potential measures could include transitioning away from coal, improving agricultural practices, and enhancing waste management systems
• These efforts may face resistance due to economic and social challenges

📈 One stat: China is responsible for about 14% of global methane emissions annually

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