By ASTANA. Dec 4 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Kazakhstan has decided to join the global commitment to reduce methane emissions, President of the Republic Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
“Reducing methane emissions is the fastest way to slow the rate of global warming. That is why I am pleased to announce that Kazakhstan has decided to join the global commitment to reduce methane emissions,” Tokayev said, speaking at the COP28 World Climate Summit in Dubai.
In addition, the President of Kazakhstan noted the republic’s desire to solve problems related to coal by implementing the region’s first Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in Kazakhstan.
“In order for both of these initiatives to succeed, we call on our friends and partners to provide concrete support,” he said.
Tokayev also said that it is unfair to demand that developing countries sacrifice their development in the fight against global warming.
“I think it is principled and fair not to demand that countries with developing economies sacrifice national development and modernization in the name of climate protection. On the contrary, these goals should go hand-in-hand and reinforce each other. Bold steps are needed,” Tokayev said.
The Global Methane Pledge (GMP) is an agreement to reduce methane emissions which was adopted in November 2021 at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. Its participants include nearly 150 countries. GMP aims to reduce global methane emissions at least 30% by 2030 from 2020 levels. This should allow global warming to slow by 0.2 degrees Celsius by 2050.
