The Australian Government has joined over 20 nations, intergovernmental organisations, the private sector and civil society in joining the Cleaner Air Coalition, a body committed to rapid action to reduce forms of short-lived but highly potent pollution.

 

The body is dedicated to action to reduce harmful pollution caused by methane, soot, smog and hydrofluorocarbons, which are more potent than carbon dioxide, trap heat in the atmosphere and represent a severe hazard to human health, air quality, crop yields and ecosystems.

 

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition is chaired by the United States and Nigeria and includes Germany, Japan, the UK, France, Italy, Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Mexico, Canada, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Israel, Jordan, the European Commission, the UN Environment Programme, and the World Bank.

 

The coalition will initially focus on taking action against diesel emissions, including from heavy duty vehicles and engines; upgrading brick kilns, which are a major source of soot; and accelerating the reduction of methane emissions from landfills.

 

The body will also look at speeding up cuts in methane and other emissions from the oil and gas industry, and accelerating the use of alternatives to hydrofluorocarbons.

 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcomed Australia's decision to join the coalition.


"Our coalition has seen tremendous progress since its launch earlier this year, and I have no doubt our collective efforts against these pollutants will be greatly strengthened in the Asia-Pacific and around the world with Australian leadership and expertise," Ms Clinton said.

 

Five initial Climate and Clean Air Coalition focus areas have been established:

  • fast action on diesel emissions including from heavy duty vehicles and engines;
  • upgrading brick kilns which are a significant source of black carbon emissions;
  • accelerating the reduction of methane emissions from landfills;
  • speeding up cuts in methane and other emissions from the oil and gas industry; and
  • accelerating the take up of alternatives to hydrofluorocarbons.