A.S.E.A.N. Ministerial Discussion on Clean Air, Health and Climate

This ministerial meeting will bring together leaders from the ASEAN region - plus Japan and Korea - to discuss how addressing local priorities like air pollution can contribute to global climate action.

The aim is to share actions and ideas that can simultaneously deliver the Paris Agreement goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – especially with a view to reaching the 1.5 degree Celsius goal – and using the combination of these efforts to enhance action, particularly in Nationally-Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Ministers will through this meeting have an informal opportunity to prepare as a region for the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit, and the 15th ASEAN Plus Three Environment Ministers Meeting in September in Cambodia.

The IPCC 1.5˚C Special Report emphasized the need for early action on all climate forcing emissions, including short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), as part of the pathway to stay well below 2˚C.

The region has a parallel atmospheric challenge: air pollution and its effect on public health and development. A 2018 report for our region set out an approach that addresses air pollution whilst simultaneously contribute to global climate mitigation efforts.

The “Air Pollution in Asia and the Pacific: Science-Based Solutions” report identified 25 “Clean Air Measures,” which if implemented across the region would result in 1 billion people enjoying clean air at the WHO’s strictest ambient standards by 2030.

Implementing the same 25 measures would also deliver 0.3˚C reduced global warming by 2040-2050 (relative to 2015): reduced CO2 emissions by 19%, methane by 44%, and black carbon by 77%.

This ministerial discussion will provide invited ministers the opportunity to share ideas on how we can address local priorities on air quality and health to also drive ambitious climate action, and help the world reach the Paris Agreement temperature goals.

This dialogue is organized within the framework of the Coalition's Action Programme to Address the 1.5˚C Challenge, in response to the IPCC 1.5˚C Special Report which emphasized the need for early action on all climate forcing emissions, including short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), as part of the pathway to stay well below 2˚C.