Photo by Noaa-Led9c1SSNFo/ Unsplash
09 Nov 2021 Speech Climate Action

Short-lived climate pollutants: Fast climate action

Photo by Noaa-Led9c1SSNFo/ Unsplash
Speech delivered by: Inger Andersen
For: Climate and Clean Air Coalition’s “Climate and Clean Air Ministerial” Meeting
Location: Glasgow

To have a shot at keeping warming below 1.5°C this century, the world needs to halve annual greenhouse gas emissions in the next eight years. We are running out of time.

The UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition’s (CCAC) new 2030 strategy shows, action on short-lived climate pollutants can achieve fast results, help avoid tipping points and create multiple benefits. 

The CCAC has achieved much. Now the pace must pick up. The Global Methane Assessment shows that cutting methane emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 would make 1.5°C possible – although it is not a substitute for the energy transition or cutting food waste and loss. 

Foundational work on methane must turn into implementation. The Global Methane Pledge is a good step forward. UNEP welcomes it. But we also call on this group to play its part in implementing the pledge through the new CCAC Methane Flagship. This Flagship will provide capacity support to reduce methane in all three main emitting sectors: fossil fuels, waste, and agriculture. This CCAC Flagship will provide a strong platform for the Pledge. This work is underpinned by observations from the newly launched and UNEP-managed, International Methane Observatory (IMEO), which is tracking methane emissions to inform and help prioritize action.  Together, the Observatory and the CCAC will provide a strong platform for the Methane Pledge.

UNEP, as host of the CCAC Secretariat and its Trust Fund, will look forward to rolling out the CCAC Flagship, folding it in with complementary work and working with partners in support of UNEP member states.

We all have a responsibility to act on methane and short-lived climate pollutants. The good news is that many of our actions to reduce short lived climate pollutants such as methane, save money. The ask for us to explore just how best we can bring down the risks and build capacities to take advantage of this opportunity.  Not just to slow climate change, but to reduce air pollution, create jobs and back sustainable development.

Thank you.