CCAC Newsletter - August 2025 Subscribe Share SHARE Facebook share Twitter LinkedIn Copy URL Email Breadcrumb Home Newsletter CCAC Newsletter - August 2025 Content This month’s CCAC newsletter showcases new momentum in tackling short-lived climate pollutants -- from Togo’s National Roadmap and Greater Lomé Action Plan for solid waste management, to Eco-Justice Ethiopia’s grassroots work empowering waste pickers and composting groups.We also gear up for a busy September, with both the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies and New York Climate Week coming down the pipeline! Read on for the latest tools, insights, and stories from around the world driving fast action on air pollution, methane, and other super pollutants.Clean Air Day 2025 Remote video URL On 7 September, we’re marking the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, highlighting the urgent need to tackle air pollution as a threat to human health, climate stability, and sustainable development. This year’s theme, Racing for Air, calls for accelerating action and solutions to deliver clean air for all.To join in raising awareness, check out the Trello board with resources and materials you can use to spotlight the dangers of air pollution and the need for fast action and new FAQ explainers on air pollution topics ranging from the history of air pollution to its effect on human health.Winds of Change: Launching the Integrated Guide for Business to Help Companies Tackle Super Pollutants in Their Supply ChainsJust eight global supply chains account for over half of CO₂ emissions—and many of those same activities also release super pollutants like methane, black carbon, and HFCs that drive dangerous air pollution. To help companies take action, the CCAC, IKEA, and the Stockholm Environment Institute have launched the updated Integrated Guide for Business Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollutant Emission Assessment. Building on lessons from early adopters like Maersk and Bloomberg, the guide equips businesses with practical tools to measure, report, and reduce emissions across value chains—delivering benefits for health, climate, and economies alike.Read more hereCCAC NDC Watch: Latest on Non-CO₂ Pollutants in National Climate Plans Remote video URL In June, Norway, Somalia and Belize released their NDC 3.0, while July saw new NDCs from Monaco and Niue. Hear insights from our colleagues on how these countries are integrating non-CO₂ pollutants, air quality, and public health benefits into their national climate commitments.Colombia Shares Experiences and Advances in Strengthening Methane Monitoring in Coal MiningEarly this year, stakeholders from government, civil society, and international organizations gathered in Bogotá for a workshop on best practices in monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) for coal mining. Organized under the CCAC-funded project Strengthening the MRV System for the Mining Sector in Colombia, the event explored global regulatory experiences and technical approaches, while identifying national challenges and opportunities to integrate methane into Colombia’s MRVme framework.Read more here.New Collaboration Advances Organic Waste Recovery in Argentina to Reduce Greenhouse Gas EmissionsThe Recycle Organics Program has launched a new collaboration with the CCAC to support Argentina in reducing methane emissions from organic waste. Running through 2026, the project will help develop policies for composting and anaerobic digestion, strengthen monitoring of emissions in the agriculture sector, and promote recovery of valuable byproducts like biogas and biofertilizers. By building on Argentina’s existing regulations and engaging farmers, municipalities, and the private sector, this initiative contributes to the Global Methane Pledge target of cutting methane emissions 30% by 2030.Read more hereEvents Webinar: Improving waste management in MENA region through better data: lessons from Iraq and Jordan3 SeptemberThis webinar will showcase insights from two country-led initiatives in Iraq and Jordan aimed at strengthening data systems to support waste sector management strategies and climate goals, including reporting. Participants will hear directly from the organizations that led the implementation in each country, gain insights into key findings and challenges, and can engage with project teams and technical experts during a live Q&A session.Accelerating Clean Air Action: New Tools for 2025 and Beyond8 SeptemberTo mark the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies 2025, this webinar will showcase new tools and knowledge resources designed to empower air quality managers globally. Together these initiatives strengthen decision-making, improve public engagement and drive effective policies for clean air. Medellín Marathon on International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies7 SeptemberThis Clean Air Day, the streets of Medellín will echo with the footsteps of over 27,000 runners as the Medellín Marathon kicks off on International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. This landmark edition of the marathon marks a new partnership between the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the Medellín Marathon, celebrating Medellín’s dramatic air quality improvements and calling for global action to reduce air pollution and warming and tackle the super pollutants that cause it.CCAC at New York Climate WeekThe CCAC is joining NY Climate Week 2025 with two events showcasing solutions and partnerships driving fast progress on super pollutants. We hope to see you there!Smarter Feed, Stronger Genes, Healthier Herds: The Path to Lower Livestock Emissions24 SeptemberThe Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), Clean Air Task Force (CATF), Spark Climate Solutions, and the Environmental Defense Fund are coming together to highlight the key pillars for optimizing productivity and reducing emissions in livestock: feed, breed, and animal health – the triple win. Through the lenses of multiple livestock stakeholders, we will highlight the opportunities and challenges on the path to sustainable intensification, technology development, and farmers’ adoption of solutions. Toward Gender Transformative Action on Super Pollutants25 SeptemberOasis by Workville 315 W 35th St Floor 15, New York, NY 10001At New York Climate Week, the CCAC and Oxfam will launch new guidance for policymakers and civil society on advancing gender-transformative action to cut super pollutants. Building on the CCAC Gender Strategy introduced at COP27, the report highlights gaps in current approaches and sets out pathways for more equitable, effective solutions—particularly in sectors like household energy. The session will feature opening remarks, a keynote, and a panel discussion exploring how centering gender equity can accelerate climate action and resilience.Togo’s National Roadmap for Reducing SLCP Emissions in Solid Waste & The Action Plan for Greater LoméThe waste sector is responsible for nearly 20% of global methane emissions, making it a critical target for climate and clean air action. In support of its Nationally Determined Contributions and the Global Methane Pledge, Togo has launched two major policy tools: a National Roadmap and a Greater Lomé Action Plan for solid waste management.Developed through the Recycle Organics Program with CCAC support, these strategies prioritize methane reduction through improved landfill management, expanded composting, and stronger collection systems—while also advancing gender inclusion, job creation, and circular economy opportunities. With these tools in place, Togo is positioning itself as a regional leader in sustainable waste management and short-lived climate pollutant mitigation.Read more about the project hereEco-Justice Ethiopia Leads the Way in Training Waste Pickers and Composters to Advance Environmental RightsAs part of the CCAC-funded Mainstreaming Organic Waste Management Across 11 Countries project, Eco-Justice Ethiopia is empowering waste pickers and composting groups with training, advocacy, and policy engagement. In this interview, founder Eskedar Awgichew shares how the organization is tackling methane emissions while advancing social justice and community-driven solutions.Read the full interview hereBuilding a Cleaner Future for African CitiesThe Africa Clean Air Network (AfriCAN) brings together partners across sectors and borders to deliver evidence-driven, open-access solutions for clean air in African cities. Launched in 2023 by AirQo at Makerere University, AfriCAN is creating a shared framework to scale collaborative action across the continent.Read more about the AfriCAN hereUNEP is Hiring!UNEP is seeking an International UN Volunteer Specialist – Programme Associate to support wastewater management, climate action, and methane reduction under the Global Methane Pledge and Source to Sea Pollution Unit. Candidates with at least three years’ experience in climate or wastewater management are encouraged to apply.Apply hereMedia Digest Scientists call for action on air pollution space launchesPublished by The Guardian, August 22Report from a leading British publication, Researchers raise concerns over growing air pollution from increased commercial space launches, warning about rising soot and particulates from rocket exhaust.91,000 Premature Annual Deaths in US Linked to Air Pollution From Oil and Gas As People of Color Bear BruntPublished by Earth.org, August 25Coverage from an international environmental media outlet, Air pollution from oil and gas causes ~91,000 premature deaths annually in the U.S., disproportionately affecting communities of color.Electric buses combat air pollution in KashmirPublished by DW, August 25Report from a major German broadcaster, Authorities in mountainous Kashmir are introducing electric buses to improve air quality.Tuesday briefing: how climate‑flation is pushing food prices ever higher – and changing how we eatPublished by The Guardian, August 26Report from a leading British publication, Analysis on how climate-driven inflation (“climateflation”) is increasing food prices and altering dietary habits.Radical methane tech tackles dairy’s farm emissionsPublished by DairyReporter, August 26Coverage from a specialist industry outlet, Ambient Carbon’s Methane Eradication Photochemical System (MEPS) has demonstrated destruction of up to 90% of methane emissions from dairy barn ventilation in Danish field trials.New Tool Maps the Health Impacts of Toxic Air Pollutants Released With Methane in Super‑Emitter EventsPublished by InsideClimate News, August 26Report from a leading U.S. climate news outlet, The Methane Risk Map by PSE Healthy Energy highlights both methane plumes and accompanying toxic pollutants such as benzene and VOCs.Food waste is a growing climate threat – can composting help?Published by Earth.com, August 26Article from a popular science and environment outlet, Food waste contributes significantly to methane emissions when disposed of in landfills. Composting prevents methane release while producing useful soil nutrients.Methane emissions rising in beef‑rich Brazil, climate groupPublished by Reuters, August 27Coverage from a leading global news wire, Brazil’s methane emissions rose 6% between 2020 and 2023, reaching 21.1 million tonnes in 2023, driven largely by cattle.Climate‑driven wildfires reversing pollution progress in North America: studyPublished by RFI, August 28Report from a major French international broadcaster, Analysis from the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) highlights how increasingly intense wildfires are reversing decades of air pollution progress across the U.S. and Canada.Air pollution reducing average life expectancy by 3.5 years, says studyPublished by The New Indian Express, August 29Report from a leading Indian daily newspaper, Air pollution in India reduced average life expectancy by 3.5 years in 2023, with Delhi residents losing up to 8.2 years.Scientific PapersThe warming effect of black carbon must be reassessed in light of observational constraintsGunnar M. et.al (2025)(Co-authored by the SAP, Drew Shindell)"Black carbon (BC), a pollutant released from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass, adversely impacts both air quality and climate change. Despite continued research and growing observations, the uncertainty in the impact of BC on global mean temperatures remains large. This uncertainty stems from BC's inhomogeneous distribution in the atmosphere, unclear strength in absorbing sunlight, and its complex influence on other aerosols, water vapor, and clouds. This study uses observational constraints and four climate models to uncover a factor of three differences in surface temperature response to BC. It highlights the need for a community effort to evaluate climate models against a broader set of observations in order to reduce the uncertainty associated with the impact of BC on surface temperature." Black carbon emissions generally underestimated in the global south as revealed by globally distributed measurements,Yuxuan R. et.al (2025)(Co-authored by the SAP, Rebecca M. Garland and Michael Brauer)“Characterizing black carbon (BC) on a fine scale globally is essential for understanding its climate and health impacts. However, sparse BC mass measurements in different parts of the world and coarse model resolution have inhibited evaluation of global BC emission inventories. Here, we apply globally distributed BC mass measurements from the Surface Particulate Matter Network (SPARTAN) and complementary measurement networks to evaluate contemporary BC emission inventories. The study highlights that emission of black carbon has been overly underestimated in the Global South. These findings motivate renewed attention to the challenging task of characterizing BC emissions from low- and middle-income countries.”