Chile’s INDC commits to ambitious climate reductions, including SLCPs, by 2030

Yesterday on the floor of the UN General Assembly, Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet unveiled her country’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) on mitigation of emissions of greenhouse gases. Chile’s strategy unconditionally commits to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, methane, HFCs, PFCs) per unit of GDP by 30% by 2030 and can increase to 45% with international funding.  Chile’s INDC also recognized the importance of addressing short-lived climate pollutants to combat near-term warming and reduce the burden of air pollution, particularly black carbon in urban centers.

"We commit to decouple our economic growth from emissions between 30 to 45% by 2030,” stated Marcelo Mena, Vice-Minister of Environment for Chile and CCAC co-chair. “We also commit to address black carbon and methane emissions, as we believe clean air is a priority for healthier cities. We will achieve this goal at great economic growth and job creation. Our energy sector projects renewable 70% by 2050, our air quality policy has a clean heating strategy, and we will implement a new energy efficiency law at the end of this year.”

Chile is now the second country to specifically highlight the importance of addressing SLCPs to combat near-term climate change and air pollution in their INDC. Earlier this year Mexico also addressed SLCPs in their INDC and unconditionally committed to reducing GHG emissions, compared to business as usual growth, by 22%, and black carbon emissions by 51% by 2030. Mexico’s reduction pledge could increase to 36% for GHGs and 70% for black carbon with international funding.

Read UNFCCC official news release on Chile's climate action plan submission here.