PARIS, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday pledged to intensify efforts to curb methane emissions and accelerate the phase-out of coal, with financial support for affected countries, as the world marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement.
Speaking at the 2025 Paris Peace Forum, Macron said there is now "more consensus" on climate action, urging countries to move "very quickly and very strongly" in addressing methane emissions.
"The fight against methane is key to accelerating progress on an extremely high-emission gas. We now have the technologies to achieve this," Macron said, calling for an international coalition that could include the United States.
The French president outlined a strategy to advance the energy transition "from coal to gas, and then to nuclear and renewables," stressing the need to reduce carbon intensity while ensuring energy security.
He also called for a global alliance on methane reduction ahead of COP30, which will take place in Belem, Brazil, from Nov. 10 to 21.
Macron noted that several developed countries remain major emitters and exporters of fossil fuels, while many emerging economies have yet to reach peak emissions.
The 8th Paris Peace Forum, held on Oct. 29-30, has placed the anniversary of the Paris Agreement at the center of its agenda, focusing on climate financing, ecosystem restoration, and sectoral acceleration to reinvigorate international cooperation.
First launched in 2018 by Macron, the annual forum aims to promote multilateralism and address global challenges through dialogue and collective action. ■
