NGO partners reinforce urgency of action against climate pollutants

The number of civil society organizations joining the coalition against short-lived climate pollutants is increasing. The organizations are driven by the desire to mitigate emissions of short-lived climate pollutants in bid to protect human health and the environment now, and slow the rate of climate change expected by 2050.

To join the coalition lately are the Clean Air Task Force, ClimateWorks Foundation, the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (IGSD), the International Council on Clean Transportation and the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative are the latest partners admitted to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC).

It brings to 27 the number of partners who have joined the voluntary partnership since its launch in February 2012.

The addition of these five respected non-government organization (NGO) partners is seen as a significant step in broadening the membership, reach and voice of the Coalition,which aims to catalyze major reductions in black carbon (or soot), methane and some hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – or “short-lived climate pollutants” – from sectors such as brick production, the diesel transport sector, municipal solid waste and oil and natural gas production.

Compelling scientific evidence indicates that fast action to reduce these pollutants, especially methane and black carbon, has the potential to slow down the warming expected by 2050 by as much as 0.5°C, as well as prevent over two million premature deaths each year and avoid annual crop losses of over 30 million tonnes.

The IGSD has also been selected as the first non-government representative on the newly formed CCAC Steering Committee.

“This ground-breaking Coalition has the potential to catalyze fast action to help the people who need it the most, and IGSD is honoured to represent the NGO partners in this endeavour,” a Senior Advisor to the IGSD and former Secretary for Environment and Sustainable Development for Argentina, RominaPicolotti, said.

“Reducing these climate pollutants not only harmonizes development and climate concerns but it’s also critical for protecting the world’s most vulnerable regions and people, particularly women and children, from the worst impacts of climate change,” MsPicolotti said.