Canada pledges $35 million to combat short-lived climate pollutants

News Release

December 8, 2015 – Paris, France – Environment and Climate Change Canada

At the High Level Assembly for the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the Government of Canada announced its contribution of Can$35 million to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), including Can$10 million to the Coalition’s Trust Fund.

SLCPs are potent global warmers with a relatively short lifespan in the atmosphere compared to longer-lived greenhouse gases (GHGs), and they play an important role in climate change. Since atmospheric levels of short-lived substances respond relatively quickly to changes in emissions, actions to reduce SLCPs can reduce the rate of near-term global warming.

The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of reducing SLCPs as part of a comprehensive strategy to address climate change and as a practical approach to making improvements in the environment and human health. Reducing SLCPs can slow warming, and can also help address indoor and outdoor air pollution, which are a key cause of premature death in communities around the world.

Of this funding, $25 million will help to reduce SLCPs through mitigation actions with key partner countries, including through projects that aim to reduce black carbon emissions to benefit the Arctic.

The remaining $10 million will be directed to the Coalition’s Trust Fund. Canada is a Coalition founder and one of the largest contributors to the Coalition’s Trust Fund. The fund supports the development and implementation of the organization’s programs and initiatives in developing countries. This additional $10 million in funding will enable the Coalition to continue its critical work on SLCPs.

Today’s announcement is part of Canada’s pledge of Can$2.65 billion over the next five years to support the transition to low-carbon economies that are both greener and more climate resilient.

Quote

“Canada is proud to be part of a vast international network of countries and organizations working to reduce short-lived climate pollutants. Sustained reductions can help slow the rate of warming, globally and in sensitive regions such as the Arctic.”
– The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick Facts

SLCPs include substances such as black carbon, methane and some hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). These substances have a relatively short lifespan in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide (CO2) and other longer-lived GHGs.
Reducing SLCPs offers significant climate and public health benefits. SLCPs are climate warming, and they are known to cause respiratory and other negative health effects.
There are currently more than 109 partners in the Coalition, including 49 states, 16 intergovernmental and 44 non-governmental organizations.