Fast Action on Air Pollution Provides Quick Results and Multiple Benefits

This high-level panel discussion focuses on actions that national governments, cities, and businesses are taking in key sectors to rapidly reduce air pollution. It emphasizes practical solutions readily available to reduce three short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs): methane, black carbon (soot), and ground level (tropospheric) ozone, which have an outsized impact on the climate, environment, and human health.  Intensified action, and a multi-sectoral approach to reduce these pollutants can also reduce other air pollutants, in addition to reducing near-term warming, thereby bringing substantial benefits to health, development and economic growth.

Attendees will better understand the benefits that reducing SLCPs have for the climate, development, and economic growth.  Panellists will discuss best practices, policies, technology innovation, local-level action, lessons learned from their efforts, and how different partnerships are effectively reducing air pollution across countries, cities, and sectors, and accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement.    

LISTEN TO THE RECORDING

SPEAKERS

Moderator: Judy Wakhungu, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Kenya 

Closing remarks: Erik Solheim, Executive Director, UN Environment

PRESENTATIONS

National action

• Marcelo Mena, Minister of Environment, Chile
  Efforts that Chile has undertaken to reduce air pollution through its atmospheric decontamination plans, and its leadership role in BreatheLife, a global campaign working with cities to reduce air pollution.

Regional priorities

• Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
  Experiences and national best practices and measures countries are taking under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP)

Impacts of air pollution

• Dia Mirza, Actor and UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador
  How recent air pollution events in India have affected people’s lives and the growing call to improve air quality

PANEL

National action

• Jochen Flashbarth, State Secretary, Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, Germany
• Marc D'Iorio, Director General, Industrial Sectors, Chemicals, and Waste, Environment and Climate Change Canada

• Hussain Khansaheb, Director of the Department of Partnerships and Special Projects, Ministry of Climate Change & Environment, United Arab Emirates

Regional priorities

• Daniel Calleja Crespo, Director-General, European Commission – DG Environment
• Dechen Tsering, Regional Director, UN Environment Asia Pacific

Benefits of action

• Maria Neira, Director, Department of Public Health, World Health Organization

Learn more about the UN Environment Assembly and sign the pledge to #BeatPollution here.