Coalition’s Coordinating Mantle Passed to Climate Group

In a significant climate governance development, the London-based non-profit Climate Group has officially assumed the role of coordinator of the Subnational Methane Action Coalition. This coalition, first spearheaded by the Government of California during COP28 in 2023, serves as a global platform for states, provinces & regions to collectively reduce methane emissions, a greenhouse gas with 80 times the warming potency of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.

The Climate Group, well known for running the Under2 Coalition, the world’s largest network of subnational governments committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 or earlier, now aims to "turbocharge" methane-related initiatives with equal fervour. The group will coordinate knowledge exchange, technical partnerships & policy blueprints between its wide member base, with technical backing from academia and philanthropy.

Why Methane Matters More Than Ever

Methane is a short-lived yet extremely potent greenhouse gas. It is responsible for nearly one-third of the global temperature rise since the Industrial Revolution. Despite its shorter atmospheric lifespan compared to CO₂, its warming capability makes it a prime target for climate mitigation.

Scientists estimate that slashing methane emissions could prevent up to 0.3°C of global warming by 2050. It offers a crucial window of opportunity, buying time to implement deeper carbon reduction measures. This is especially vital given that global methane levels are now increasing faster than at any point in recorded history.

The Global Methane Pledge & Role of Subnational Governments

More than 150 countries have committed to the Global Methane Pledge, aiming to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. However, implementation is largely dependent on subnational authorities, states, provinces & regions, which often regulate methane sources directly.

These jurisdictions wield regulatory control over methane-heavy sectors like agriculture, energy & waste. The Subnational Methane Action Coalition empowers these authorities to tackle emissions via best practice sharing, data collaboration, methane tracking & customised policy frameworks.

How Climate Group Will Operate the Coalition

Climate Group plans to expand the coalition’s influence by bringing in new members and forging stronger partnerships with universities, NGOs & funders. It will leverage its global reach and policy experience to drive actionable methane reduction strategies at the regional level.

According to Champa Patel, Climate Group’s Executive Director for Governments and Policy, “Most climate plans still centre around decarbonisation. That’s not enough. We must now target short-lived pollutants like methane to avoid climate breakdown.” Patel also spotlighted successful methane initiatives by existing coalition members, such as satellite surveillance in South Korea’s Gyeonggi province and the closure of 200 landfill sites in Goiás, Brazil.

Support from Academic & Philanthropic Powerhouses

The University of California, Berkeley, through its Center for Law, Energy & Environment, remains a central partner. Its experts assist coalition members in emissions quantification, technology deployment, & developing tailored methane action plans. UC Berkeley’s Ken Alex, Director of Project Climate, applauded Climate Group’s appointment and reaffirmed his team’s commitment to collaborative solutions.

On the funding side, the Global Methane Hub is underwriting Climate Group’s new coordination role. Its Asia Regional Lead, Manjyot Kaur Ahluwalia, emphasized the cost-effective nature of cutting methane in the waste sector, noting that this could deliver economic, public health and food security benefits, especially to vulnerable communities in places like Nigeria and Bolivia.

California Leads, Others Follow

California’s Secretary for Environmental Protection, Yana Garcia, praised the coalition's new leadership, highlighting that subnational governments, being closer to the sources of methane, can deliver swift and tangible results. “We’re excited to have the Climate Group coordinating the urgent work of this coalition as we continue to slash methane emissions while boosting economic productivity,” she said.

California’s pioneering role in methane regulation, from dairy manure digesters to oil field leak detection, sets a replicable example for other coalition members.

A Truly Global Membership Base

The Subnational Methane Action Coalition now includes 22 members from six continents, signifying broad global commitment:

• Africa: Cross River (Nigeria), Gauteng (South Africa)

• Asia: Chungcheongnam-do & Gyeonggi (South Korea), Delhi (India)

• Europe: Andalusia (Spain), Baden-Württemberg (Germany)

• North America: British Columbia (Canada), California, Colorado, Maryland (USA), Querétaro, Yucatán (Mexico)

• South America: Córdoba, Chubut (Argentina), Espírito Santo, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), Santa Cruz (Bolivia)

This geographic diversity ensures a wealth of climate strategies tailored to local conditions, from urban methane flare regulations to rural waste reform.

Key Takeaways

• Climate Group now coordinates the Subnational Methane Action Coalition, founded by California in 2023 to fight methane emissions.

• Methane accounts for nearly 1/3 of global temperature rise since the Industrial Revolution and has 80 times the warming potential of CO₂.

• The coalition includes 22 regional governments from across six continents and targets emissions in agriculture, energy & waste sectors.