WASHINGTON: The Biden administration on Tuesday introduced it might search to curb US emissions of highly effective industrial greenhouse gases corresponding to nitrous oxide because it enters a brand new section within the nationwide technique to struggle local weather change beneath the Paris settlement.
The concentrate on industrial gases follows US measures to scale back methane emissions, which yielded a world marketing campaign to get different international locations to make large cuts in addition to home reductions.
Like methane, nitrous oxide is a shorter-lived however potent supply of worldwide warming, so the US hopes focusing on it’ll yield fast and cheap good points within the struggle in opposition to local weather change.
“A lot of the dialogue of local weather change focuses on carbon dioxide, however tremendous pollution like methane and nitrous oxide trigger half of the local weather change we’re experiencing right this moment,” stated John Podesta, Senior Adviser to the President for Worldwide Local weather Coverage.
The White Home kicked off the hassle with an occasion on Tuesday and bulletins by industrial corporations, together with Ascend Efficiency Supplies, which can be taking voluntary actions to chop nitrous oxide emissions, officers stated.
Nitrous oxide emissions come from a wide range of sources together with the manufacturing of some fertilizers and artificial supplies corresponding to nylon.
A State Division official advised Reuters that it may possibly value as little as $10 per metric ton to scale back nitrous oxide emissions by tasks carried out by the voluntary carbon offset market.
Final 12 months, the US and China agreed to incorporate a dedication to scale back all non-carbon greenhouse gases of their new nationwide local weather plans beneath the Paris local weather settlement, that are resulting from be submitted to the United Nations subsequent 12 months.
Gabrielle Dreyfus, chief scientist for the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Improvement, stated she hoped the 2 greatest industrial emitters would cooperate on nitrous oxide.
“When the US and China work collectively, large issues can occur,” she stated.
Podesta advised one other occasion hosted by IGSD, the Asia Society and assume tank Local weather Advisers that he’ll journey to China to satisfy with counterparts “later this 12 months”.
Tuesday’s occasion additionally included a dedication of $300 million from philanthropies for the International Methane Hub, which helps tasks to chop methane emissions all over the world.



LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here