Reducing methane and other “short-lived climate pollutants” (SLCPs) such as soot would reduce the global warming effect in the short term, giving the world “a chance” to avoid climate catastrophe, the scientists said. The warming effect of methane is up to 80 times greater than that of C02, even though it rapidly degrades in the atmosphere.
“It’s an optimistic message, because we have low-cost strategies, with zero or low-cost interventions, that can slow global warming in the short term, which is crucial.”
Dr Gabrielle Dreyfus, Chief Scientist at IGSD (Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development), and lead author of the report.
