20 May 2015: The sixth High-Level Assembly of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC) has initiated the development of a detailed implementing and planning instrument, the ‘CCAC Five-Year Strategic Plan.’ The Assembly endorsed a framework for the Plan with a view to launching it at the next High-Level Assembly, which will be held on the margins of the Paris Climate Change Conference in December 2015.

Jane Nishida, Co-Chair for the CCAC Task Force on the Plan, described the elements of the framework, emphasizing the need for: a strategic focus on polices, regulations and practices of partners and stakeholders to deliver substantial short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP) reductions in the near- and medium-term; using peer-to-peer cooperation to catalyze ambitious action and CCAC participation in key forums and increasing visibility of SLCPs in the media to mobilize support; and leveraging finance at scale by working with national development agencies and development banks to mainstream SLCPs into development planning and connecting project proponents and financiers to demonstrate that SLCP projects are bankable. In endorsing the framework, the Assembly also agreed the implementation plan would include methods for demonstrating impact.

At the opening of the Assembly, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Maria Neira, Director, Public Health and Environment, World Health Organization (WHO), highlighted linkages between CCAC’s work and climate change and public health. Ban emphasized the important contribution CCAC can make toward the anticipated 2015 global climate change agreement, noting the practical solutions CCAC has advanced. Neira stressed that an estimated 4.3 million deaths are caused by indoor air pollution and 3.7 million are attributed to outdoor air pollution annually. The Assembly took place on the margins of the World Health Assembly, which Neira highlighted is anticipated to adopt a resolution on air quality and health.

During a discussion on the Lima-Paris Action Agenda and the “Road to Paris” strategy prepared by the CCAC Working Group, delegates discussed concrete actions that individual partners, as well as the Coalition, are taking to engage in the international community’s efforts against climate change. A number of objectives for CCAC’s participation in the Paris Climate Change Conference were named, including: launching the Five-Year Strategic Plan; ensuring every COP 21 participant leaves with a better understanding of SLCPs; demonstrating commitment to increasing pre-2020 ambition by showcasing results; increasing engagement of key countries and private sector actors through targeted outreach; and encouraging countries to include SLCPs in their intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) and statements.

The Assembly also heard updates from partners on their progress mitigating SLCPs. The Black Carbon Finance Study Group launched the ‘Black Carbon Finance Study Group Report 2015,’ which outlines strategies to increase funding for black carbon reduction. Delegates also welcomed the Philippines as CCAC’s 104th partner during the meeting. The sixth High-Level Assembly of the CCAC took place on 20 May 2015, in Geneva, Switzerland. [IISD RS Sources] [CCAC Sixth High-Level Assembly Webpage] [IISD RS Coverage of CCAC Sixth High-Level Assembly] [CCAC Press Release on the Black Carbon Finance Study Group Report]