Australia snubs global pledge led by key allies to cut methane emissions

Australia has snubbed one of the key global actions to come out of the COP26 climate summit by bowing out of an international pledge led by the US and Europe to reduce methane emissions.

The world is moving — slowly — to halt deforestation, with leaders representing land which is home to more than 85 per cent of the world’s forests expected to commit to halting and reversing deforestation and land degradation by 2030.

Back on Australian shores, new analysis has revealed the federal government’s 116 major coal and gas projects under development could produce 5 per cent of global industrial emissions and result in a nearly 30 per cent increase in emissions within Australia if they were to go ahead.

Australia snubs methane reduction pledge at COP26 climate change conference
Nearly 90 countries have joined a US- and EU-led effort to slash emissions of methane by 30 per cent by 2030 from 2020 levels at COP26. Among the signatories is Brazil, one of the five biggest emitters of methane. The other four – Australia, China, Russia and India – have not signed up.

‘Significant milestone’: In Glasgow, the world moves to halt deforestation
Global deforestation would be halted by 2030 under a plan to be endorsed by more than 100 world leaders on the second day of COP26. Among the signers are Brazil, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Other signers of the pact are expected to be Australia, Canada, Colombia, Russia, and Norway.

Australia considering more than 100 fossil fuel projects that could produce 5% of global industrial emissions
The Australian government lists 116 major coal and gas projects under development, each valued at more than A$50m and with the potential to reach a final investment decision in the next five years.The coal and gas works, if approved, would result in a nearly 30% increase in emissions within Australia.

Australian bushfire survivor Jo Dodds is taking on Scott Morrison at the Glasgow climate summit
Bushfire survivor and Bega Valley councillor Jo Dodds is at COP26 to pressure Prime Minister Scott Morrison to do more to prevent what happened to her town. Ms Dodds's organisation, Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action, raised more than $12,000 to fund her Glasgow trip.

Cop26 Glasgow news – live: Boris Johnson ‘cautiously optimistic’ but promises ‘100% useless’ without action
Boris Johnson has said he is “cautiously optimistic” about what is being achieved at the Cop26 summit in Glasgow, though promises are “100 per cent useless” without firm action.

How Australian miners have ramped up plans to cut carbon emissions ahead of COP26
In the arid land of remote Western Australia, plans are underway to build a zero-carbon new mine. Mining company Oz Minerals wants its next project, West Musgrave, to be carbon neutral. Elsewhere, mining companies like Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) are reinventing their business models.