At UNU in Tokyo, conversation explores practical action on super climate pollutants

At an event hosted last week by United Nations University, UNU Rector Tshilidzi Marwala sat down with CCAC Board member and former Minister of Environment of Argentina Romina Picolotti for a public conversation on the importance of accelerating action on super climate pollutants.

 

Held as part of UNU’s conversation series, this session entitled “Turning the Tide: Restoring Balance through Practical Action on Super Climate Pollutants” focused on how reducing pollutants such as methane, black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), tropospheric ozone precursors, and nitrous oxide can deliver rapid climate benefits while also improving air quality, public health, food security, and economic resilience.

 

Picolotti, who was visiting Japan as part of a broader mission linked to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), reflected on the importance of maintaining spaces for practical international cooperation at a time when multilateralism faces growing pressures globally.

 

She noted that the CCAC’s voluntary partnership model has helped create a unique platform where governments, international organizations, NGOs, scientists, and private sector actors can work together to advance implementation-focused action on super pollutants.

 

The conversation also reflected on how the CCAC has helped build the global agenda on super pollutants since its launch in 2012 — strengthening the scientific and political case for action, supporting policies and regulations, and mobilizing support for implementation in developing countries through its Trust Fund and partnerships.

 

Looking ahead, the discussion highlighted the CCAC’s next phase of work through the new Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator, which aims to provide deeper institutional support to high-ambition countries in the Global South — to help move from planning to implementation at scale.

 

This next phase will involve closer collaboration with national development banks, multilateral development banks, philanthropies, and private sector partners to accelerate investment and deployment of technologies and solutions that reduce super pollutants.