Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development

September 17, 2021

U.S.- EU Launch Pledge to Cut Super Climate Pollutant Methane

The United States and the European Union launched a global pledge to reduce methane emissions by nearly a third by 2030, as part of a broader effort to increase ambition to address the climate crisis. The launch was announced at the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate hosted today by President Biden. This is the first time heads of State have pledged fast action to cut super climate pollutants to meet the 1.5°C temperature target of the Paris Agreement.

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September 15, 2021

Statement on the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

As the world enters a crucial phase in the battle to combat climate change, International Ozone Day reminds us that the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is not only saving the stratospheric ozone layer and keeping us safe from harmful ultraviolet radiation but is also doing more than any other agreement to slow catastrophic global warming. As we celebrate the achievements of this planet-saving treaty, we also need to realize how much remains to be done.

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May 6, 2021

Cutting Methane Key to Keeping Earth From Warming Itself Beyond Human Control

Aggressively cutting methane emissions is the fastest and most effective way to reduce the rate of warming and keep the global average temperature from breaching the 1.5°C barrier above preindustrial levels, according to the Global Methane Assessment released today by UNEP and the CCAC. The Assessment calculates that available mitigation measures can cut emissions from human activities by 45 percent and avoid nearly 0.3 °C of warming by the 2040s.

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April 22, 2021

World leaders to US: “Welcome back to the fight. This time I know our side will win”

Most world leaders who spoke this morning at President Joe Biden’s Leaders’ Summit welcomed the U.S. back to the climate fight. Many world leaders echoed President Biden’s science goal of limiting warming to 1.5 °C, and many shared the president’s focus on the decade of action to 2030.

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April 16, 2021

China to Accept Kigali Amendment on HFCs and Strengthen Action on Other Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases

In a virtual summit with President Macron of France and Chancellor Merkel of Germany, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced China will accept the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. President Xi also mentioned China’s intention to strengthen the control of non-CO2 greenhouse gases.

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January 27, 2021

President Biden to Submit Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol for Senate Ratification

President Biden directed the State Dept. to prepare a transmittal package to the Senate for the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to phase down potent HFCs. “President Biden knows the Senate better than any president before him, and will be using the advice and consent process to build bipartisan support for this and future climate action, which the American people are demanding,” said IGSD President, Durwood Zaelke.

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January 8, 2021

Pandemic Relief Bill Mandates HFC Phasedown in Compliance with Montreal Protocol’s Kigali Amendment

In a huge win for the environment and American businesses, the Consolidated Appropriations Act that was signed into law on 27 December 2020 phases down potent greenhouse gases HFCs. Reducing HFC refrigerants could avoid up to 0.5°C of future warming. Climate benefits could double with parallel improvements in energy efficiency of cooling equipment.

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July 17, 2020

Climate-friendly Cooling Could Cut Years of GHG Emissions, Buy Time and Save US$ Trillions: UNEP & IEA

Coordinated international action on energy-efficient, climate-friendly cooling could avoid as much as 460 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions – roughly equal to eight years of global emissions at 2018 levels – over the next four decades.

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IGSD works to promote just and sustainable societies and to protect the environment by advancing the understanding, development, and implementation of effective, and accountable systems of governance for sustainable development.

News

16 Oct

China Announces Plans to Further Implement Kigali Amendment to Phasedown HFCs

China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) announced at a press briefing that it will issue additional HFC-related policies and measures to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer.
11 Oct

U.S., EU Expand Support for Fast Cuts to Methane

The U.S. and EU announced today that an additional 24 countries have committed to join their Global Methane Pledge unveiled jointly in September. The pledge is now backed by 9 of the top 20 methane-emitting countries. The entire group accounts for 60% of the global economy. John Kerry and Franz Timmermans encouraged those countries already joining to recruit other countries to join the pledge, with a goal of at least 100 countries by COP 26 in Glasgow.
9 Oct

Climate critical: methane [interview]

While the world often focuses on carbon dioxide emissions, another far more potent greenhouse gas is attracting far less attention. Methane has 80 times the warming power as CO2. Cutting methane can be one of the fastest fixes for our warming planet. Durwood Zaelke, president of IGSD, joins the BBC to discuss.
8 Oct

EPA Accepts Petitions to Eliminate Super Polluting HFCs

By accepting petitions to phase out HFCs submitted under the technology transition authority of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking overdue action to stop the use of super polluting hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in refrigeration and air conditioning, aerosols, and foams sectors where safer alternatives are available.