South Korea is committed to lowering methane emissions by 30pc by 2030 from 2020 levels as it joins the "global methane pledge," President Moon Jae-in said at the UN Cop 26 climate conference today.

The initiative to reduce global methane emissions by 2030 was launched by the US and EU in September, under which so far 30 countries have agreed to reduce their methane emissions by 30pc by 2030 .

"Methane, a much more potent greenhouse gas than CO2, holds the key to tackling the climate crisis", Moon said, answering calls to step up emission cuts to meet the 2050 net zero target.

Moon also emphasised the need to reduce the use of coal to phase it out entirely by 2050, with eight coal-fired power plants already having been decommissioned earlier than scheduled since the launch of his government. He added that two more plants will be shut down before year-end.

Moon reaffirmed the country's commitment to raise its greenhouse gas emission reduction target to 40pc by 2030, calling it a "bold" and "herculean task" that demands steep emission cuts over a short time period. The country had previously envisaged emission reduction cuts of 26pc over the same period.