Steering Committee

Members of the Steering Committee govern the overall framework, policies, and procedures of GMI, annually review progress, and provide guidance to the Secretariat and Subcommittees. The Steering Committee meets in-person or virtually at least once per year, at times and locations to be determined by its appointed representatives. The Steering Committee makes decisions by consensus.

On this page

Leadership and Members
Role of the Secretariat
Activities
Resources

Leadership

The GMI Steering Committee is chaired by Tomás Carbonell, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Under the Terms of Reference, up to two Vice Chairs may be appointed, each for a 2-year term. In 2023, the Steering Committee members concurred with the selection of the United States to serve as the Chair, India to continue serving as a Vice Chair, and Ghana to serve as a Vice Chair. The Vice Chairs are M. Nagaraju, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Government of India and Daniel Tutu Benefoh, Acting Director, Climate Change Unit, Ghana Environmental Protection Agency.

Members

Delegates from GMI Partner countries participate in the Steering Committee. All Partners are considered Steering Committee "observers" from the time they join the Initiative. Twelve months after joining and any time thereafter, Partner Countries may submit a request to become a Steering Committee member by sending a letter to the Secretariat that outlines their engagement in the Initiative. Subcommittee Co-Chairs may serve as ex-officio members of the Steering Committee.

View Delegates

Role of the Secretariat

The Secretariat serves as the principal coordinator of GMI’s communications and activities and is responsible for organizing meetings and events, coordinating and distributing communications, maintaining the GMI website, and acting as a hub for information. The focus of the Secretariat is administrative; the Secretariat does not act on matters of substance except as specifically instructed by the Steering Committee. Currently, the Secretariat is supported and hosted by the United States, at the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC.

More about the Secretariat

Chair

GMI Steering Committee Chair, United State
United States

Vice Chairs


India	Ghana

Activities of the Steering Committee

18 March 2024	GMI Steering Committee Meeting The Global Methane Initiative (GMI) Steering Committee met on 18 March 2024. The purpose of the meeting was to hold discussions regarding: Technical resources, events, communications, and activities completed and in progress GMI Partner delegate methane mitigation activities, priorities, and needs in their countries Enhancing collaboration across methane initiatives Partner Countries’ updates from COP28 and begin planning for COP29
5-6 September 2023	GMI Steering Committee Meeting The Global Methane Initiative (GMI) Steering Committee met on 5-6 September 2023. The purpose of the Steering Committee meeting was to discuss: GMI’s strategic priorities and action plan to ensure GMI is most useful to its Partner Countries Technical resources, events, communications and activities completed and in progress GMI Steering Committee members’ methane mitigation activities, priorities, and needs in their countries Ways to enhance collaboration across methane initiatives Partner Countries’ plans for COP28 Planning for the 2024 Global Methane Forum
13 April 2023	GMI Steering Committee Meeting The Global Methane Initiative’s (GMI) Steering Committee met virtually on 13 April 2023. The purpose of the Steering Committee meeting was to hold discussions regarding: GMI leadership news Partner Country updates Strategic planning and enhancing strategic partner collaboration GMI Secretariat updates Updates from GMI Subcommittee Co-Chairs
26 September 2022	GMI Steering Committee Meeting The Global Methane Initiative’s (GMI) Steering Committee met virtually on 26 September 2022. The purpose of the Steering Committee meeting was to hold discussions regarding: Partner Country updates Activities that delegates can take to reduce methane emissions GMI Draft Engagement Strategy GMI and CCAC Draft High-Level Statement GMI Secretariat updates Updates from GMI Subcommittee Co-Chairs Strategic Partner updates and introductions
9 June 2022	GMI Steering Committee Meeting The Global Methane Initiative’s (GMI) Steering Committee met virtually on 9 June 2022. The purpose of the Steering Committee meeting was to hold discussions regarding: Updates regarding Strategic Partnerships Consistency in methane action planning work Sharing technical expertise and resources across groups Developing a joint workplan Finalizing the Steering Committee Action Plan and GMI Engagement Strategy Planning for the 2022 Global Methane Forum GMI Secretariat updates
18 May 2021	GMI Steering Committee Meeting The Global Methane Initiative’s (GMI) Steering Committee met virtually on 18 May 2021. The purpose of the Steering Committee meeting was to review and adopt the new Terms of Reference, update members about the "opt-in" process, and share GMI news and updates.
10 March 2020	GMI Steering Committee Meeting The Global Methane Initiative’s (GMI) Steering Committee met virtually on 10 March 2021. The purpose of the Steering Committee meeting was to hold discussions regarding governance, rechartering, and other future plans for the Steering Committee, including the 2021 virtual event A Call to Action on Methane.
2–3 December 2020	GMI Steering Committee Meeting The Global Methane Initiative’s (GMI) Steering Committee met virtually on 2-3 December 2020. The purpose of the Steering Committee meeting was to review feedback provided by the Executive Task Force and make decisions regarding key questions about the future of GMI.
May-July 2020	Executive Task Force Virtual Meetings The GMI Steering Committee was scheduled to meet in person on 23 and 25 March 2020 during the Global Methane Forum 2020 in Geneva, Switzerland. Because the Forum was unfortunately postponed, a series of virtual sessions were held with an "Executive Task Force" to facilitate discussion and decision-making regarding the future of GMI, among other issues.
18 - 19 November 2019	GMI Steering Committee Meeting Paris, France The 2-day meeting took place at the United Nations Environment Programme, UNESCO headquarters annex, hosted by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Secretariat.

Resources

For a complete list of available Steering Committee resources, please visit the resources page. The resources page includes white papers, meeting proceedings, technical documents, presentations, and other tools.

View all Steering Committee resources

Terms of Reference for the Global Methane Initiative

Establishes the Terms of Reference for national government entities who participate in the Global Methane Initiative.

Global Methane Initiative Communique: Momentum on Methane (2018)

Recognizes the achievements of GMI Partners and confirms the GMI's commitment to incentivize scientific and technological innovations on monitoring, measuring and mitigating methane, as well as facilitating access to financing and investment resources.

Global Methane Initiative Partners Communique (2016)

Distributed during the 2016 Global Methane Forum, the communiqué reaffirmed the Partners' commitment to the Initiative and announced the rechartering of GMI for the next five years to address methane. The communique also described the formation of strategic alliances with CCAC and UNECE to expand international collaboration to reduce global methane emissions.