Driving climate action with data – the role of the International Methane Emissions Observatory

Date: 5 November I Time: 2:30pm to 3:30pm I Location: EU Pavilion - Blue Zone

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Methane is a powerful pollutant with a global warming potential over 80 times greater than CO2 during the 20 years after it is released into the atmosphere. Methane is a major contributor to the rate of global warming in the near term—as a result, reducing its emissions quickly is one of the most powerful actions that can be taken to reduce warming and limit the effects of climate change. 

The fossil fuel industry is responsible for one-third of anthropogenic methane emissions and is the sector with the highest potential for reductions, which can slow the rate of global warming in the short term as efforts continue to decarbonize the energy system by adopting cleaner forms of energy.

As the momentum is building into a global pledge towards methane emissions reduction, this event will present how the International Methane Emissions Observatory will contribute to driving meaningful methane reductions. It will give an opportunities to hear from fossil fuel producing countries and international initiatives working towards the same objectives. 

Moderated by Andris Piebalgs, Chair of the IMEO Implementation Committee, Florence School of Regulation

Introduction of the International Methane Emissions Observatory: Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UN Environment Programme

Panel debate (reactions - 7 min)

- Ilse Aben, Representative of Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) of the UN Climate and Clean Air Coalition (remote)

- Maria Spyraki, Member of the European Parliament

- Steven Hamburg, Chair of the Science Oversight Committee, IMEO

- Rick Duke, Senior Advisor and White House Liaison for the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate

Closing remarks by: Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy