US, Canada agree on methane emission cuts

Washington, (IINA) - The White House announced on Thursday that the U.S and Canada have agreed to cut nearly half of methane gas emissions from the oil and gas sector within the next decade, DPA reported.
U.S President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have committed to a reduction in methane emissions by 40 to 45 percent below 2012 levels by 2025, and U.S and Canadian authorities will start work immediately on developing emissions regulations.
According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, methane accounts for about 10 percent of US human-generated greenhouse gas emissions, making it the second most prevalent greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide.
The gas is also more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping radiation in Earth's atmosphere.
After talks in the Oval Office, Obama and Trudeau stressed the importance of implementing the Paris climate agreement reached last year and called for further global action on climate change.
"I'm especially pleased to say that the United States and Canada are fully united in combating climate change", Obama said.
He noted that his trip to Alaska that year as the first U.S president to visit the Arctic, where he saw "how both of our nations are threatened" by climate change.
On his part, Trudeau noted that friendship was key in joint action on climate change but dismissed suggestions that the U.S-Canadian relationship would change should a Republican candidate win November presidential elections.
"That friendship, matched by much hard work, has allowed us to do great things throughout our history, from the beaches of Normandy, to the Free Trade Agreement and now, today, on climate change", he said.
"The president and I share a common goal. We want a clean growth economy that continues to provide good jobs and great opportunities for all of our citizens" he added.
AG/IINA

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