California officially launched a new international climate initiative that creates a partnership of subnational governments that are committed to reducing methane at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) hosted in Dubai.

The effort, which was initially announced in September during Climate Week, has expanded to 15 signatories, which include additions from Brazil, Canada, South Korea, Bolivia, Germany, Spain, and the United States.

The Subnational Methane Action Coalition creates collaboration with jurisdictions that oversee and regulate key sources of methane such as agriculture, energy and landfills to share goals and best practices in reducing the short-lived climate pollutant that is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.

California set a goal to reduce 40% of its methane emissions by 2030 compared to 2013 levels. The California Air Resources Board (CARB), California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) collaborate in the state’s international engagements on methane.

Since methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a short atmospheric lifespan, methane emissions reductions can reduce the effects of climate change in the short term.

Signatories of the Coalition include:

• California (USA)
• Queretaro (Mexico)
• Gauteng (South Africa)
• Espirito Santo (Brazil)
• Cross River State (Nigeria)
• Yucatan (Mexico)
• Delhi (India)
• Colorado (USA)
• Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)
• Pernambuco (Brazil)
• Baden-Württemberg (Germany)
• British Columbia (Canada)
• Santa Cruz (Bolivia)
• Gyeonggi (South Korea)

Other partners in the effort include the Climate Group, which convenes subnational governments for climate action through the Under2 Coalition, and the UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy, and Environment, which will work with state agencies and Initiative members to create action plans, track progress, organize regular peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and share best practices.