Australian government rules out pledging to meet methane reduction target

Cattle graze in a field as smoke rises from burning fires on mountains near Moruya, Australia (Rick Rycroft/AP)

Australia has ruled out promising to cut methane emissions by 30% by the end of the decade in a stance that will add to criticism that the country is too slow in addressing climate change.

Minister for industry, energy and emissions reduction Angus Taylor announced his government’s decision before he was to fly with Prime Minister Scott Morrison to a UN climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland.