International solidarity will be crucial in the fight against short-lived climate pollutants, according to senior United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) officials at the Climate and Clean Air Conference in Nairobi. Inger Andersen, the UNEP’s executive director, emphasized the need for unified action to eliminate these harmful gases in order to protect the ozone layer and improve air quality.
The two-day Climate and Clean Air Conference 2024 has brought together policymakers, scientists, and green campaigners to discuss best practices to curb the emission of super pollutants from various sources such as agriculture, fossil fuels, household cooling, and heavy-duty vehicle engines. This conference is a precursor to the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) to be held in Nairobi from February 26 to March 1 under the theme of “effective, inclusive, and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution”.
Andersen stressed that lethargic action on short-lived climate pollutants would deny humanity a sustainable and resilient future and highlighted the importance of leveraging science, policy, and practice to accelerate their phaseout. She also mentioned the Global Methane Pledge, the Clean Air Flagship, and the Kigali Amendment as effective multilateral instruments that will help in eliminating super pollutants from the atmosphere.
Rose Mwebaza, UNEP’s regional director for Africa, called for harmonizing policies and laws, leveraging technology, research, and advocacy to sustain action on short-lived climate pollutants. She emphasized the need to remodel sectors responsible for emitting super pollutants, including cooling, agriculture, manufacturing, and transport to boost air quality, climate resilience, and human health.
Overall, the conference highlighted the urgent need for international solidarity to phase out super pollutants and protect the environment and human health. The discussions at the conference and the upcoming UNEA-6 demonstrate the commitment of global leaders to take effective, inclusive, and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
