CCAC side event "The contribution of short-lived climate pollutants to the Post-2015 Development Agenda"

SLCPs contribute to multiple sustainable development goals

The United Nations Environment Programme and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition welcome you to join us on 24 September as we host an exciting discussion of how fast mitigation of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) will contribute to the post-2015 Development Agenda and deliver on multiple Sustainable Development Goals, while also showcasing the exciting work that CCAC Partners, sub-national groups, and cities are taking to address the challenge of SLCPs today and in the near-term.

The event will be broadcasted on UN web TV.

Our distinguished panel of high-level speakers will present specific SLCP mitigation measures, demonstrate their contribution to different goals and targets under the SDGs, and highlight indicators that will allow measureable progress toward achieving multiple targets and goals. 

Speakers

Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director United Nations Environment Programme 

Mr. Edmund (Jerry) G. Brown Jr., Governor, State of California

Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Bangladesh

Dr. Adejare Adejuwon, Climate Change Department, Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria

Ms. Hanne Bjurstrøm, Special Envoy on Climate Change, NorwayCCAC Co-Chair

Dr. Veerabhadran Ramanathan, Distinguished Professor, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San DiegoCCAC SAP Member

A 2011 scientific assessment by UNEP and WMO identified a package of 16 targeted and cost-effective measures that, if implemented by 2030, will produce important near-term benefits that will support the success of the Sustainable Development Goals by improving human health and reducing vulnerability, driving economic growth and innovation such as catalyzing improvements in energy efficiency, and combatting near-term climate change.

Globally air pollution is the leading environmental cause of early death, causing an estimated 7 million premature deaths per year, and is harmful to crops and ecosystems on a regional and global scale. Reducing emissions of SLCPs can avoid approximately 2.4 million premature deaths from reduced outdoor (ambient) air pollution. Household air pollution would also be reduced, producing additional significant health benefits. Improvements in air quality would also improve yields of four major crops by approximately 50 million tonnes per year.

These improvements in air quality contribute directly to: Goal 2 by improving ecosystem health and agricultural yields, thereby helping to end hunger and achieve food security, and; Goal 3 and Goal 11 by reducing indoor and outdoor air pollution and helping ensure healthy lives for people across the globe.

Climate change is a fundamental threat for sustainable development. Reducing SLCPs can slow the rate of global warming and avoid an estimated 0.6°C of warming by 2050, compared to baseline scenarios, and reduce associated climate impacts, such as extreme weather events, rate of glacier melting and sea-level rise. Avoiding near-term warming is complementary to immediate and decisive action to reduce CO₂ and other long-lived climate pollutants.

Reducing near-term warming directly contributes to Goal 13 but also supports Goal 1 and Goal 11 by helping reduce the exposure of vulnerable populations to climate-related extreme events.

Most SLCP measures also have a strong correlation with the energy sector and for fostering patterns of sustainable consumption and production, for example by targeting the energy sector directly through reducing methane emissions from oil and gas sector, improving the fuel and operating efficiency of brick kilns; or improving appliance efficiency through a conversion to low-GWP refrigerants.

SLCP measures promote low- or no-emission alternative practices and technologies across a wide range of sectors supporting Goals 7, 9 and 12.