Time to Act: To Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants

06 Methane

CH 4 is a powerful greenhouse gas with an atmospheric lifetime of approximately 12 years. CH 4 emissions caused by human activities are one of the most significant drivers of climate change. CH 4 directly influences the climate system but also has indirect impacts on human health and ecosystems, including agricultural production, through its role as the primary

precursor of tropospheric O 3 , a powerful greenhouse gas and air pollutant (UNEP & WMO 2011). O 3 air pollution has been estimated to cause around 150,000 deaths annually worldwide and affects the health of many more (Lim S. et al . 2012). Approximately 60% of methane is emitted from human activities. In 2005, agriculture

(livestock rearing and rice production), fossil fuel production and distribution, and municipal waste and wastewater management accounted for 93% of global anthropogenic methane emissions. According to the projected trends, without further mitigation efforts, anthropogenic methane emissions are expected to increase by about 25% by 2030 (UNEP &WMO 2011).

15