California Announces Cuts to Short-Lived Climate Pollutants at CCAC and UNEP-hosted Meeting in New York

Speaking at a meeting hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), California Governor, Edmund G. Brown Jr, today announced sweeping and ambitious cuts to short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), committing to reducing emissions of methane and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 40 per cent and black carbon by 50 per cent over the next fifteen years. 

"To make real change it takes commitment over time, knowledge, cooperation and political will," Governor Brown said. "It is important for us to have environmental protections that protect Californians, the environment that they love and the environment that helps our economy grow. We will also continue to work with countries like Mexico, India and China to help them deal with air pollution issues." 

The meeting took place on the eve of the UN Sustainable Development Summit, where more than 150 world leaders are expected to formally adopt an ambitious new sustainable development agenda.

Achim Steiner, Executive Director of UNEP, said, "This type of cooperation between California and other countries is important to the success of the SDGs. Short lived climate pollutants not only drive climate change but impact everything from human health to food security. Efforts like California's and that of the CCAC support the integrated approach to the SDGs, addressing social, economic and environmental issues in order to transition to a sustainable future for the planet and its peoples."