To create a voluntary, non-binding framework for international cooperation to reduce methane
emissions and to advance the recovery and use of methane as a valuable energy source to increase
energy security, enhance economic growth, improve air quality, and improve industrial safety.
The Initiative focuses on the abatement, recovery, and use of methane through technology
demonstration, dissemination, and implementation of effective policy frameworks, identification
of ways and means to support investment, and removal of barriers to collaborative project
development. The Initiative serves to complement and support Partners' efforts implemented under
the United Nations' Framework Convention on Climate Change.
| 2.1 |
Identify and promote areas of bilateral, multilateral, and private sector collaboration
on methane abatement, recovery, and use in the areas of agriculture, coal mining,
municipal solid waste (MSW), oil and gas systems, and municipal wastewater treatment,
and in other areas as agreed to by the Partners. |
| 2.2 |
Develop policy guidance and encourage implementation of near-term policies that support
the identification and deployment of best management practices for the abatement,
recovery, and use of methane. |
| 2.3 |
Identify cost-effective opportunities to recover methane emissions for energy production
and potential financing mechanisms to encourage investment. |
| 2.4 |
Identify and address barriers to project development and improve the legal, regulatory,
financial, institutional, technological, and other conditions necessary to attract
investment in methane abatement, recovery, and utilization projects. |
| 2.5 |
Identify and implement collaborative projects aimed at addressing specific challenges to
methane abatement and recovery, such as raising awareness in key industries, removing
barriers to project development and implementation, identifying project opportunities,
and demonstrating and deploying technologies. Partners will also work together to share
lessons learned from these cooperative activities. |
| 2.6 |
Foster cooperation with the private sector, research organizations, development banks,
and other relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations. |
| 2.7 |
Integrate and coordinate Initiative activities with related activities and initiatives
such as the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the United Nations Economic Commission for
Europe, the Arctic Council, the International Energy Agency, the United Nations
Environment Programme, the World Bank, and others that may emerge in the future. |
| 2.8 |
Work to improve scientific understanding in relation to the emissions estimates,
abatement, recovery, and use of methane. |
| 2.9 |
Develop and implement action plans that outline a series of concrete activities and
actions that directly support the core goals and functions of the Initiative. Action
plans can be useful tools in advancing project implementation, facilitating investment,
and creating appropriate policy frameworks that support methane abatement, recovery, and
use. Promote and assist where feasible the inclusion of methane strategies in
country-level planning. |
| 2.10 |
Communicate their progress and accomplishments in implementing action plans or
strategies that may include methane mitigation directly or indirectly and undertaking
other activities to support the Initiative's goal. |
| 2.11 |
Periodically assess the effectiveness of the Initiative's efforts in achieving its goal.
|
| 3.1 |
The Initiative will be composed of a Steering Committee, Subcommittees, and a Project
Network. The Initiative will be supported by a Secretariat (formerly known as the
Administrative Support Group (ASG)). |
| 3.2 |
Strategic Partners of the Initiative are external organizations with whom coordination
and collaboration are mutually beneficial. The Steering Committee may choose
organizations to be designated as Strategic Partners based on consensus. Current
Strategic Partners are listed on https://www.globalmethane.org/collaboration/.
|
| Steering Committee |
| 3.3 |
The Steering Committee will govern the overall framework, policies, and procedures of
the Initiative; annually review progress of the initiative; and provide guidance to the
Secretariat and Subcommittees. The Steering Committee should meet at least once per
year, at times and locations to be determined by its appointed representatives. The
Steering Committee will make decisions by consensus. |
| 3.4 |
The Steering Committee's leadership will be comprised of a Chair and up to two (2) Vice
Chairs, each for a 2-year term that can be extended by the Steering Committee by
consensus. After a 2-year term as Chair, unless the term has been renewed by the
Steering Committee, the Chair's term will end. The position of Chair will then be
assumed by a Vice Chair, or another Partner, by consensus of the Steering Committee. In
the event that the Steering Committee is unable to select a new Chair, one of the Vice
Chairs may be asked to act as interim Chair until such time as they can be confirmed by
the Steering Committee or until such time as the Steering Committee selects a new Chair.
|
| 3.5 |
Partners in leadership roles are expected to actively participate in the planning
activities of the Secretariat and Steering Committee meetings, host a meeting or event
(virtually or in-person), and provide strategic direction for the Initiative. Partners
should have a minimum of 2 years' experience on the Steering Committee before taking on
a leadership role. Leadership should also ideally include Partners from a developed
country and from a developing country or a country with an economy in transition. |
| 3.6 |
The Steering Committee membership is comprised of up to 22 GMI Partners. Each Partner on
the Steering Committee (Steering Committee Members) may appoint up to two
representatives to the Steering Committee. The list of Steering Committee Members, as
listed at https://www.globalmethane.org/steering/,
may be amended by consensus of the Steering Committee. Subcommittee Co-Chairs may serve
as ex-officio members of the Steering Committee. |
| 3.7 |
Current members of the Steering Committee are required to affirm their interest in
serving on the Steering Committee for a 2-year term, which may be extended for
additional terms if members reaffirm their continued interest in serving on the
Committee. The list of Steering Committee members will be based on an "opt-in" process
and will be periodically updated by the Secretariat as needed. |
| 3.8 |
With the consensus of the Steering Committee, individuals may participate in meetings of
the Steering Committee under the designation of "official observers." An "official
observer" will be welcome to offer ideas and perspectives but may not participate in
decision-making activities of the Steering Committee. Official observers may include,
but are not limited to, representatives of Strategic Partner organizations. Project
Network members may be invited to attend certain Steering Committee meetings as
observers on an ad hoc basis. |
| Subcommittees |
| 3.9 |
The Subcommittees of the Initiative will focus on the following focal areas: Biogas (to
include Agriculture, MSW, and Municipal Wastewater sectors), Coal Mining, and Oil and
Gas Systems. The Steering Committee may establish additional Subcommittees, working
groups, or enlarge the scope of existing Subcommittees in other focal areas as agreed.
|
| 3.10 |
The Subcommittees will be responsible for guidance and assessment of area-specific
activities and engaging representatives of the private sector, development banks,
researchers, and other relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations. Each
Subcommittee will work to implement its program of action, offer assistance to Partners
in the development and implementation of their action plans, provide guidance on project
identification, identify and address key barriers and issues for project development,
address market assessment and reform issues, facilitate investment and financing
opportunities, and report on progress. Subcommittees will report to the Steering
Committee. Subcommittees will meet as often as necessary but at a minimum should meet at
least once per year, at times and locations to be determined by its appointed
representatives to fulfill their responsibilities, making use of electronic media
(including email, teleconference, and videoconference) as appropriate in order to
minimize travel. Each Subcommittee will make decisions by consensus. |
| 3.11 |
The Subcommittees will be comprised of representatives from interested Partners,
non-governmental organizations, and Project Network members. Each Partner may appoint up
to three members to each Subcommittee. Project Network members or interested
organizations, such as Strategic Partners, may serve as official delegates or
participate informally in a Subcommittee by consent of that Subcommittee. |
| 3.12 |
Each Subcommittee will select two Partners as co-chairs, ideally one from a developed
country and the other from a developing country or a country with an economy in
transition. At their discretion, Subcommittees may select one additional co-chair. Every
three years, Subcommittees should review their leadership to provide other Partners the
opportunity to act as co-chair. |
| Project Network |
| 3.13 |
The Project Network will serve as an informal mechanism that facilitates communication,
project development and implementation, and private sector involvement across the
Initiative. The Project Network serves as the Initiative's mechanism to reach out to and
organize the participation of the private sector, governmental and non-governmental
organizations. The Project Network is comprised of representatives from local
governments, the private sector, the research community, development banks, and other
governmental and non-governmental organizations. Those interested in becoming partners
in the Project Network will sign and submit a Project Network Membership Agreement.
|
| The Secretariat |
| 3.14 |
The Secretariat will serve as the principal coordinator of the Initiative's
communications and activities. The focus of the Secretariat will be administrative; the
Secretariat will not act on matters of substance except as specifically instructed by
the Steering Committee. Specifically, the Secretariat will:
| 3.14.1 |
Organize the meetings of the Initiative, |
| 3.14.2 |
Arrange special activities such as teleconferences and workshops, |
| 3.14.3 |
Receive and forward new membership requests to the Steering Committee, |
| 3.14.4 |
Coordinate communications of Partnership activities, progress, and
accomplishments, |
| 3.14.5 |
Act as a hub for information for the Initiative, |
| 3.14.6 |
Provide support for activities related to the Project Network, and |
| 3.14.7 |
Perform such other tasks as the Steering Committee directs. |
|
| 3.15 |
The Secretariat will be supported and hosted by the United States, at the Environmental
Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. Another organization's or Partner's offer to
support and host the Secretariat may be accepted by the consensus of the Steering
Committee. |
| 3.16 |
Each Partner will designate an Administrative Liaison to serve as its principal point of
contact to the Secretariat. The Secretariat will work with the Liaisons to ensure an
adequate flow of information between the Initiative and individual Partners. |
| 3.17 |
The Secretariat may, if appropriate, involve personnel employed by the Partners to
assist in specific activities undertaken by the Secretariat. Such personnel will be
remunerated by their respective employers and will remain subject to their employers'
conditions of employment. |