Headline: Side Event at UNEA-4: Integrating Climate Action, Sustainable Development, and Clean Air

The 2015 Paris Agreement established an ambitious temperature target of 1.5˚C, but did so in the context of broader international goals of sustainable development and poverty eradication. There are many paths we can take towards achieving the Paris target, but not all paths are equally desirable. By delivering on strategies that target the short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) black carbon, methane, tropospheric ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons, we can avoid 0.5°C of global warming by 2050, improve health by reducing air pollution, and contribute to reaching a host of additional sustainable development goals, including improved food security (SDG 2 – zero hunger) and affordable and clean energy (SDG 7). Strategies that integrate all climate forcing air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions can deliver near-term, local benefits that enable countries to make ambitious commitments to put the world on a safe path to 1.5˚C.

In this event we highlight the experiences of Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire in creating action plans to reduce SLCPs in light of synergies with planning for their climate and development goals. We examine what we can learn from their experience and identify best practices for achieving the benefits promised by action on SLCP reduction.

Program
Welcome (10 minutes)
•     Alice Kaudia, Kenya, Co-Chair of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)

Integrating Environment and Development Agendas via Action on SLCPs (20 minutes)
•    Dr. Kathleen Mar and Charlotte Unger, IASS – Where are we now and where do we need to go? The state of knowledge and action on SLCPs
•    Nathan Borgford-Parnell, Science Affairs Coordinator, CCAC – SLCP action and pathways to the 1.5 degree target
African Action Plans to Reduce Short-lived Climate Pollutants (20 minutes)
•    Bala Bappa, Nigerian National Coordinator,CCAC-SNAP/IS –Nigeria’s Action Plan to Reduce Short-lived Climate Pollutants
•    Ange-Benjamin Brida, CCAC National Focal Point, Cote d’Ivoire – SLCPs as part of Cote d’Ivoire’s NDC Enhancement

Moderated Panel Discussion (40 minutes)
•    Moderator:  Alice Kaudia, Kenya, CCAC Co-Chair
•    With Panelists: Kouadio Ngoran, UN Environment Office for Africa, Nairobi; Asmau Jibril, Nigerian National CCAC Focal Point; Bala Bappa, Nigerian Nigerian National Coordinator,CCAC-SNAP/IS ; Ange-Benjamin Brida, Cote d’Ivoire; Charlotte Unger, IASS

Event title: Integrating Climate Action, Sustainable Development, and Clean Air - African Action Plans to Reduce Short-lived Climate Pollutants

Date and time: Tuesday, March 12th, 16:00-17:30

Venue: Green Tent at UNEA-4

More information:

• Agenda