By Jeff Mason

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden will convene a virtual meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Friday to discuss plans to combat climate change with other world leaders before a major summit on global warming known as the COP 26 in Glasgow later this year.

Biden’s gathering is meant to bolster countries’ plans to tackle climate ahead of the Scotland summit, the White House said, and builds on a meeting of world leaders Biden organized earlier this year to discuss climate goals https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-climate-summit-idCAKBN2CA0DK.

At the MEF, President Biden will stress both the importance and the economic advantages of more climate action. In a Wednesday statement, the White House stated that he would call upon leaders to boost their climate ambitions heading into COP 26 as well as in the following years.

The White House stated that President Obama will also present plans to make use of the MEF postGlasgow, which it described as “a platform for collaborative, concrete efforts increasing climate action over this critical decade.”

Biden, who announced an April target to cut U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases by 50-52% between 2005 and 2030, is urging other nations to achieve their targets.

To combat climate change, the world must reduce methane’s emissions. These emissions are more harmful than carbon dioxide and contribute to climate change.

According to documents obtained by Reuters, the United States and European Union have committed to reducing methane emission by about a third before the end of the decade. They are also pushing for other large economies to follow their lead.

Reporters were told by a top administration official that the topic would be dealt with on Friday.

Official declined to name the nations that would be attending the meeting but said they were receiving RSVPs.