Reducing SLCP Across LAC
Progress and Opportunities for Reducing Short-lived Climate Pollutants across Latin America and the Caribbean
This technical report, Progress and Opportunities for Reducing Short-lived Climate Pollutants across Latin America and the Caribbean, reviews examples of initiatives and measures that have successfully reduced emissions of black carbon, methane and some hydrofluorocarbons in Latin America and the Caribbean, the three short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) considered by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. The report addresses the feasibility of implementing the identified measures and policies in key sectors that could be replicated or scaled up to achieve air quality improvement and near-term climate protection. As demonstrated in this report, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean region have made significant progress in reducing the emissions from key sectors of short-lived climate pollutants through a small number of identified measures. The governments across the region have the opportunity to achieve lasting benefits for public health, the environment and climate by creating an enabling environment for wider implementation of the identified measures through effective legal and institutional frameworks, appropriate public-private partnerships, economic incentives, and dedicated research and development. More rapid and wider implementation of the identified measures in the region can lead to improved agricultural competitiveness and food security, reduced damages from cumulative effects such as sea-level rise, melting rate of glaciers, and biodiversity loss in the region, as well as provide better air quality for the citizens, especially women, children and the poor.
“The short-lived climate pollutant agenda puts a human face on climate mitigation. It’s about health. It’s about development. It’s about addressing issues that are overlooked when you view that climate mitigation is only about solar panels and electric vehicles. It is deeply rooted in the Sustainable Development Goals. It’s about gender inequality of women exposed to indoor air pollution. It’s about the right for clean and affordable energy. It’s about protecting terrestrial ecosystems from deforestation. It’s about addressing waste management. It’s about implementing refrigeration solutions that don’t destroy the ozone layer, nor cause climate change. It´s the type of climate policy all developing countries should adopt.” Dr. Marcelo Mena, Minister of Environment, Chile, March 2017-March 2018
“The effective application of knowledge facing the great environmental problems of this century requires a proper association between science, technology, economy, public policies and social interest. The Technical Report represents a good example regarding the research approaches that can trigger that kind of association -- regional actions that can make a difference on several fronts, all at once: public health, food and energy security, ecosystems protection and climate. The magnitude of the challenge towards facilitating widespread implementation of existing technologies and practices nationally and regionally for reduction of SLCPs must be tackled with strategies at different levels, establishing synergies between sectorial actions, local, regional and global strategies, as well as time horizons to strengthen and accelerate the medium- and long-term goals of mitigation and adaptation.” Dr. Amparo Martínez Arroyo, General Director, National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change, Mexico
