Tuvalu has endorsed the United Nations Secretary-General’s call for global methane action, calling for an urgent phase-out of fossil fuels and pledging to increase the focus on methane solutions when it co-chairs the Global Conference Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in 2027.
Minister of Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Maina Vakafua Talia said methane is a key driver of climate change and requires urgent global action.
“Tuvalu welcomes and strongly endorses the UN Secretary-General’s call for global methane action. Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas that drives rapid near-term warming, making it a critical target for slowing the pace and severity of climate change,” he said in a statement.
The Minister said Tuvalu will strengthen its focus on methane action as the next co-chair of the Global Conference Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in 2027.
“There is an urgent need for methane action in any and all relevant forums, which is why we intend to deepen the focus on methane solutions as the next co-chair of the Global Conference Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in 2027. Tuvalu is answering the call from the UNSG and ready to step up the action on methane and invites the Santa Marta Process countries to actively participate with substantial engagement on this issue,” he said.
Talia said Tuvalu is concerned about methane emissions from the fossil fuel industry and coal mining.
“Tuvalu is particularly concerned about methane discharged from the fossil fuel industry through oil and gas extraction, pumping, and transport of fuels. Furthermore, coal mining, including active and abandoned mines, is a major source of methane. We are calling for an urgent phase out of the extraction and use of fossil fuels and a rapid transition to renewable energy,” he said.
He said climate change poses an existential threat to Tuvalu.
“For Tuvalu, as one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world, every fraction of a degree of warming threatens our land, our lives, and our future. Methane action is the best near-term prevention of temperature rise but also underutilised. It’s like having a remedy but not using it to cure a deadly illness. Methane action can help limit peak global temperatures, reduce the risk of exceeding the 1.5°C goal, and avoid the most severe and irreversible climate impacts,” Talia said.
The Minister also called for stronger international mechanisms to ensure commitments are implemented.
“We believe that strengthened global implementation architecture is necessary to ensure countries and companies turn their promises to real action. An architecture that builds capacity, accelerates technology deployment, unlocks investment at scale, and ensures transparent accountability for outcomes, not simply good intentions,” said Talia.
