Australian government snubs global methane pledge

Australia will not sign up to a landmark global pledge to reduce methane emissions by 2030 despite at least 100 countries backing the initiative. The 'Global Methane Pledge' – led by the EU and US – will limit the potent greenhouse gas by 30 percent on 2020 levels. The agreement could prevent 0.3 degrees of warming over the next two decades. Australia is one of the five biggest emitters of methane - along with Brazil, China, Russia and India. Brazil is the only high-emitting nation to sign the agreement. Energy Minister Angus Taylor says the only way Australia could achieve the target would be to reduce numbers of cattle and sheep. The government has faced pressure from the Nationals to resist making the pledge at the Glasgow summit. US President Joe Biden announced the agreement with President of the EU Commission Ursula Von de Leyen.