Federated States of Micronesia - GMP Methane Action Update (September 2024)
Methane is the second highest green-house gas (GHG) emission in the FSM, which mainly occurs from livestock, aggregate sources and non-CO2 emissions on land and solid waste and wastewater disposal and treatment activities (NC3 BUR 1, 2023). Mitigating human-caused methane emissions stands as one of the most cost-effective strategies to promptly diminish the pace of global warming, significantly contributing to global endeavours to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Recognizing the urgency of this matter, the FSM pledged its commitment to the Global Methane Pledge in October 2021 and joined the GMP Champions in 2023 to unite with other countries to call for accelerated methane action. As a small island developing country that is at the frontline of the impacts of Climate Change, this is a fight for our livelihoods and existence.
Key actions and achievements to date
Methane is included under short-lived climate pollutants via the updated NDC (2022). Targets include (1) reduction of black carbon and methane emissions related to diesel electric generation by more than 65% below 2000 levels by 2030; and (2) to undertake a national methane inventory and assessment of methane abatement opportunities.
At the domestic level, the FSM is taking action by developing a Methane Emission Reduction Roadmap, which includes undertaking a methane inventory to determine the emission levels within the sectors of agriculture, energy and waste, and inform the identification of abatement opportunities. The roadmap will identify key domestic actions for methane under each sector. Additionally, the FSM is actively searching for financing opportunities to implement its roadmap. A proposal was submitted to the World Bank’s CH4 Pacific Program on methane reduction in the waste sector. The proposal was approved, which will include a pilot project in the FSM to explore financing for the national methane roadmap.
At the International level, key actions include engaging in GMP Ministerial meetings at COP and during climate week to call for accelerated action on methane, to keep the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 C within reach.
Plans for the future
FSM’s plans for upscaling its methane actions at the domestic level will derive from its national methane roadmap and action plan. When completed, the FSM commits to implementing and advocating for the need to reduce methane emissions within key emitting sectors. At the international level, the FSM is committed to aligning targets and measures of its national roadmap with the updated NDC to reinforce its commitment/goal of reducing methane emission within key sectors.
