Integrating Climate Action, Sustainable Development, and Clean Air: African Action Plans to Reduce Short-lived Climate Pollutants

The 2015 Paris Agreement established an ambitious temperature target of 1.5˚C, but did so in the context of broader international goals of sustainable development and poverty eradication. There are many paths we can take towards achieving the Paris target, but not all paths are equally desirable. By delivering on strategies that target the short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) black carbon, methane, tropospheric ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons, we can avoid 0.5°C of global warming by 2050, improve health by reducing air pollution, and contribute to reaching a host of additional sustainable development goals, including improved food security (SDG 2 – zero hunger) and affordable and clean energy (SDG 7). Strategies that integrate all climate forcing air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions can deliver near-term, local benefits that enable countries to make ambitious commitments to put the world on a safe path to 1.5˚C.

In this event we highlight the experiences of Nigeria and other leading African countries in creating action plans to reduce SLCPs in light of synergies with planning to reach their SDG and climate goals. We examine what we can learn from their experience and identify best practices for achieving the benefits promised by action on SLCP reduction.

Programme

Welcome

•  Dr. Yerima Peter Tarfa, Nigeria’s UNFCCC focal point

Integrating environment and development agendas via action on SLCPs

• Dr. Kathleen Mar, IASS – The science behind SLCP action: benefits for climate, health, agriculture, and development
• Charlotte Unger, IASS – Integration of environmental and development agendas – a political scientist’s perspective
• Nathan Borgford-Parnell, Science Affairs Coordinator, CCAC – Introduction to the work of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition

African Action Plans to Reduce Short-lived Climate Pollutants

• Bala Bappa,Nigerian National CCAC Focal Point – Presentation of Nigeria’s Action Plan to Reduce Short-lived Climate Pollutants
• Fredua Agyeman, Director of Environment, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ghana – National Action Planning on SLCPs (TBC)
• Eric-Michel Assamoi, Director of Climate Change, Cote d’Ivoire – SLCPs in Cote d’Ivoire’s (I)NDC (TBC)

Moderated Panel Discussion

• Moderator:  Alice Kaudia, Kenya, CCAC Co-Chair
• With Panelists: Kouadio Ngoran, UN Environment Office for Africa, Nairobi (TBC); Asmau Jibril, Nigerian National CCAC Focal Point; Fredua Agyeman, Ghana (TBC); Eric-Michel Assamoi, Cote d’Ivoire (TBC)