Global Leaders Mobilize in Brasília to Fast-Track Action on Super Pollutants on the Road to COP30

The conference marked a key milestone on the road to COP30, showcasing Brazil’s leadership in tackling super pollutants and reinforcing the CCAC’s role as a global strategic partnership driving science-based action on climate and clean air.

Over the three-day conference, discussions focused on integrating ambitious strategies to reduce super pollutants, which include methane, black carbon, tropospheric ozone, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) into updated national climate plans (NDCs 3.0). As we head towards COP30 later this year, addressing super pollutants alongside deep decarbonization must take center-stage. Super pollutant action is our climate emergency break, essential to keep 1.5C within reach, offering a key pathway to avoid up to 0.6C of global warming by mid-century.

A series of new initiatives and action-underpinning reports were launched throughout the week, demonstrating the strong momentum behind super pollutant mitigation efforts. These include the launch of UNEP’s updated Global Strategy to Introduce Low-Sulfur Fuels and Cleaner Diesel Vehicles, aimed at accelerating the transition to cleaner on-road diesel fleets; the release of a CCAC Technology and Assessment Panel (TEAP) report assessing the potential of black soldier fly technology to cut methane emissions from organic waste; a new policy brief on digital extension services for livestock to help reduce methane from the livestock sector; and  a sustainability strategy for the Bioceanic Road Corridor.  

Subnational governments, who are on the frontlines of the fight against climate change and air pollution, reaffirmed their commitment to tackling super pollutants, with the governments of Belém, Fortaleza, and Rio de Janeiro, joining the Lowering Organic Waste Methane (LOW-M) initiative, paired with the release of LOW-M’s new Data Guidance to support improved emissions tracking. This builds on the momentum of 62 countries signing the CCAC-supported COP29 Organic Waste Methane Declaration, which now represents over 50% of global waste methane emitters.  

At the conference, state and non-state partners stressed the need for policies and measures that make agriculture more resilient, recalling that the sector is both impacted by and impacting climate change and air pollution. Throughout the discussions, emphasis was given to practices that are people-centered and ensure food security and environmental justice.

The CCAC, in partnership with OXFAM America, launched a landmark initiative to integrate gender equity into super pollutant mitigation strategies, recognizing the critical role of women in driving super pollutant solutions at the community level.

The Conference also advanced action across the CCAC’s six sectoral hubs — agriculture, heavy-duty vehicles and engines, waste, household energy, fossil fuels, and cooling. Cross-cutting sessions underscored the urgency of accelerating action on super pollutants ahead of COP30, while aligning climate and air quality policies for maximum benefits to public health, food security, and sustainable development.

Speaking at the Conference, Marina Silva, Minister of Environment and Climate Change in Brazil, which also serves as a CCAC Co-Chair country, said: “Super Pollutants are responsible for half of climate change, and must be integrated in our common fight. The best way to face these challenges is to provide strength to multilateralism, and now is the time for us to implement solutions.

“As Co-Chair of the CCAC, the UK looks forward to working together with all our international partners, especially Brazil on the road to COP30”, said Tony Kay OBE, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Brasilia, at the opening of the Conference. “We encourage all countries to work with the CCAC for the benefit of both people and planet”.  

Martina Otto, Head of the CCAC Secretariat, said: “At a time when we see increased frictions, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition is a partnership at its best – with knowledge sharing that makes a measurable impact in the fight against climate change. Increased ambition on super pollutants improves food security, health outcomes, improves air quality, and reduces climate tipping points, through solutions that are often cost-effective with known technologies.”  

Marcelo Mena, CEO of Global Methane Hub, said: “We’re proud to announce this new $10 million investment in one of our closest partners in cutting super pollutants like methane, the CCAC. Cutting methane emissions is a tangible, immediate solution that leads to lower rates of heat-related deaths, asthma, and other negative public health outcomes that are associated with the harmful impacts of climate change while also increasing economic efficiencies, job creation, and food security.”

As the world looks ahead to COP30 in Belém, the Climate and Clean Air Conference 2025 has laid a critical foundation for raising ambition on tackling super pollutants. With 2030 just five years away, the clock is ticking on achieving critical climate and clean air goals. Momentum alone won’t cut it—action must turn into measurable progress now.  

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NOTES TO EDITORS

About the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)  

The UNEP-Convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is a partnership of over 200 governments, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations. It works to reduce powerful but short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) – methane, black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and tropospheric ozone – that drive both climate change and air pollution. Co-Chaired by the United Kingdom and Brazil, it aims to connect ambitious agenda setting with targeted mitigation action within countries and sectors. Robust science and analysis underpin its efforts, and bolstered by its Trust Fund, it has given rise to high level political commitment, in-country support, and a range of tools that help make the case for action and support implementation.

For more information, please contact:

Vincent Hughes, Communications and Media Consultant, Climate and Clean Air Coalition Secretariat at United Nations Environment Programme – Vincent.Hughes [at] un.org

Ava Bahrami, Communications Officer, Climate and Clean Air Coalition Secretariat at United Nations Environment Programme – Ava.Bahrami [at] un.org (Ava[dot]Bahrami[at]un[dot]org)