The World Bank has introduced its Methane Reduction Blueprint at COP28, aiming to address methane emissions through various national programs. The initiative seeks to achieve 'triple wins' by limiting global warming, enhancing resilience, and empowering livelihoods. An initial commitment involves launching 15 national programs designed to reduce up to 10 million tons of methane over the projects' lifespan, benefiting around 150 million people.
The World Bank is currently supporting over 40 projects across different countries to enhance methane emission reduction efforts. These projects are in various stages of development, with most having secured financing and the rest expected to receive approval by the end of the fiscal year. The first set of data on actual methane emissions reduced will be available from July 2025.
Successful projects have led to accelerated policy actions and investments in several sectors:
- **Livestock**: Support is being provided to 12 countries, including China, India, and Brazil, which together account for a significant portion of the global cattle population. Efforts focus on improving meat and dairy productivity while reducing emissions through better animal breeds and feed, improved manure disposal practices, and farmer training.
- **Rice**: Assistance is extended to six countries such as China, India, Viet Nam, and Bangladesh that produce a majority of the world's rice. Initiatives include developing efficient irrigation systems for rice paddies and promoting seeds that require less water yet improve yields.
- **Waste and Sanitation**: Nine countries are receiving support for waste management improvements in densely populated cities like those in Egypt, Pakistan, and Türkiye. This includes enhancing organic waste collection and sorting processes as well as upgrading landfills with anaerobic digestors.
- **Oil and Gas**: Over 12 countries are engaged in efforts covering about a quarter of global oil and gas sector-related methane emissions. The World Bank provides grant funding and advisory services to help detect leaks, establish measurement systems, and build capacity for implementing emission-reducing projects.
Future plans involve expanding these programs into additional sectors within the initial 15 countries while also reaching new nations. The goal is also to help monetize methane reductions by converting them into carbon credits for financial incentives aimed at governments and farmers. Continuous innovation will be pursued through partnerships with global experts on new abatement strategies.