27 April 2017: The 20th meeting of the the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC) Working Group shared the latest scientific knowledge on short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), and identified areas where the scientific community can support CCAC partners in implementing action to reduce methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Participants also identified knowledge gaps and needs for integrating SLCP actions into science-based robust policymaking.
The meeting, which took place from 26-27 April 2017, in Santiago de Chile, Chile, was organized by the Ministry of Environment of Chile and the CCAC. It brought together 120 participants from Partner States, international organizations and civil society. The meeting was preceded by a Science-Policy Dialogue, held on 25 April, and site visits took place on 28 April.
The Working Group meeting aimed to set priorities for 2017 and 2018 to ramp up efforts to reduce shortlived climate pollutants, especially black carbon, and plan for the 2017 High Level Assembly.
The main objectives of the Working Group included: setting priorities for 2017 and 2018 to ramp up efforts to reduce shortlived climate pollutants (SLCPs), especially black carbon; planning for the 2017 High Level Assembly (HLA); following up on previous HLA commitments; deciding on future funding for initiatives; and showcasing and inspiring action to access financing for projects and the CCAC Trust Fund. The Working Group was structured around keynote presentations, panel
discussions, breakout groups and plenary discussions. The Science-Policy Dialogue was structured around panel sessions and breakout groups.
On the HLA, partners agreed to hold the 2017 HLA in Bonn, Germany, in conjunction with the 23th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 23) to the UNFCCC. Discussions were held on the proposal supported by many countries for the HLA to focus on the topics of agriculture and waste.
On funding, the Secretariat provided a presentation on the status of the Trust Fund, noting that US$6.6 million remain available, with US$7 million more pledged until 2022.
On the follow up on the 2016 HLA, Partners discussed and shared results inspired by the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and by the 2016 Marrakech communiqué; and decided how to report back to the 2017 HLA on 2016 Marrakech actions.
On 28 April, participants visited various sites including: a landfill gas project; a vehicle certification and control center; a waste water treatment plant; Chile’s national air quality analysis center; and a rural area with a heat stoves replacement programme.
The CCAC Secretariat is hosted by UN Environment in its Economy Division in Paris, France. [IISD Coverage of the 20th Meeting of the CCAC Working Group] [IISD Web Coverage of Selected Site Visits]