6 December 2012: Chile, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Maldives, the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC) at a ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the 18th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 18) to the UNFCCC in Doha, Qatar. The CCAC aims to catalyze action on reducing black carbon, methane, certain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and other short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) to maximize agricultural, climate, energy and health benefits.

According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), action on SLCPs has the potential to contribute to climate change mitigation because of the high global warming potential (GWP) of these chemicals. HFCs, for example, could account for 7-19% of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 if they are not regulated. Similarly, fast action on black carbon and methane could slow global temperature increases, improve air quality and reduce crop losses. Scientific assessments suggest near-term benefits from fast action on SLCPs could be greater in mountain glaciers and the Arctic.

The CCAC, whose partners include 25 countries, the European Commission and 23 non-State partners, was launched in February 2012. Its achievements include: reducing black carbon and methane in burning wastes and landfills in ten major cities and from oil flaring and leaks; accelerating the introduction of stricter emissions standards and low sulphur fuels in Asia and Latin America to reduce black carbon emissions; and developing SLCP national action plans, including in Bangladesh, Ghana and Mexico. The Coalition has also launched awareness-raising activities on the impacts of SLCP emissions and established a scientific advisory panel.

Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, welcomed fast action on SLCPs but cautioned that such action “is not an alternative to urgent action under the UN Climate convention process.” He called on countries to act to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, realize sustainable development and transition to a green economy. UNEP hosts the Coalition Secretariat. [UNEP Press Release] [CCAC Website]