IN line with the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., for a cleaner and more efficient source of energy the United States said that they are engaging with the Philippines for its clean energy transition.

The US said that PH is actually cutting down methane emissions, which serves as a low-hanging fruit for both countries in energy cooperation.

In a virtual press briefing with reporters from Philippines, Vietnam and South Korea on Thursday, US Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose Fernandez said technologies are now available to help the country reduce its methane emissions.

“(T)his is almost the lowest-hanging fruit in our energy relationship – is the Philippines has joined the (Global) Methane Pledge (GMP). And the experts tell you that the Philippines, with existing technology, can reduce 75 percent of its methane emissions,” Fernandez said.

The US group is joibned by the members from the European Union as one of the 155 country participants in the GMP.

It was launched in 2016, with country participants taking voluntary steps to contribute to the collective global goal by slashing methane emissions by 30 percent in 2030 from 2020 levels.

Methane is said to be one of the contributors in forming the ozone, and decreased air quality, resulting to lesser crop yields, among other environmental and human health impacts.