Barbados’ Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary with responsibility for Climate Change, Small Island Developing States and Law of the Sea, Elizabeth Thompson. (GP)
Reducing global methane emissions is a matter of survival, social stability and economic sustainability for small islands.
Barbados’ Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary with responsibility for Climate Change, Small Island Developing States and Law of the Sea, Senator Elizabeth Thompson, made these remarks recently at a methane summit co-hosted by Brazil, China and the United Kingdom on the margins of the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference, (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.
The methane summit brought together representatives from Barbados, France and Germany, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, and launched landmark initiatives to accelerate global action on methane and other non-CO₂ greenhouse gases.
Ambassador Thompson cited recent examples, including Hurricane Melissa which struck Jamaica two weeks ago causing an estimated US$10 billion in damages, and emphasised the urgent need for action.
“We need oil and gas companies to recognise the importance of cutting methane emissions by stopping flaring and leaks. The countries gathered here can lead by example by controlling their domestic methane emissions, and over the next year, we must advance discussions so that COP31 can perhaps present a concrete proposal to initiate efforts that will lead to a legally binding agreement,” she stressed.
The synergy of the global leaders was evidenced in their contributions at the summit, signaling a new era of cooperation and accountability to cut methane and other non-CO2 gases through aligned regulation, mitigation, and fairer markets.
The 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference runs from November 10 to 21.
Author: Dionne Best
Source: https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/barbados-joins-in-discussions-at-methane-summit-at-cop30/
