Our goal to slash emissions
Black carbon, or soot, is one of the super pollutants alongside methane that are responsible for half of global warming. Beyond climate change, it also pollutes the air, contributing to 8 million premature deaths and the trillions of dollars of economic cost (5% of global GDP) from air pollution each year
In response to the escalating need to address black carbon, Clean Air Fund’s programme is addressing the super pollutant’s detrimental impacts on climate, health and the environment.
Our ambition is to see countries slash black carbon emissions by 35% below 2010 levels by 2030 and achieve climate mitigation consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5˚C. A business-as-usual scenario projects only a 3% reduction in black carbon emissions over the same period (see figure below). We need to go further to avoid climate tipping points, build local resilience and deliver clean air.
What we’re doing
Clean Air Fund is working to elevate black carbon in climate and clean air processes to achieve this scale of emissions reductions. Our programme is:
- Resolving scientific bottlenecks that inhibit progress on black carbon reduction. We are generating much-needed research on scientific uncertainties, and generating a compelling case for action.
- Building coalitions and alliances spanning climate and health to accelerate action on black carbon mitigation.
- Working to secure pledges by national governments to cut their emissions. So far, we’ve seen countries announce plans to reduce black carbon from major sources at COP30.
- Showcase the feasibility of solutions to reduce black carbon emissions and drive funding to scale up implementation.
Projects we fund
We support leading research institutions to close critical evidence gaps on black carbon. These projects are addressing uncertainties in climate models, developing improved metrics, and exploring impacts on ecosystems and rainfall patterns. A recent study revealed that black carbon levels average 38% higher in the Global South than current models predict, suggesting a systematic underestimation.
We’re also partnering with organisations to elevate black carbon up the agenda of national and international frameworks. Projects range from advocating for revisions to the UNECE Gothenburg Protocol and EU regulations to integrating black carbon into countries’ climate plans (known as nationally determined contributions or NDCs). See our policy brief on integrating black carbon into NDCs.
We’re investing in innovative solutions at the community level that have the potential to be scaled globally. We’re supporting Brazilian communities in the Amazon to deploy an integrated fire management system using AI-powered cameras and satellite monitoring technology.
We’re equipping the clean air and climate community with communications resources to raise awareness of black carbon’s impacts and solutions. For example, Climate Visuals is providing free images that capture black carbon’s sources and impacts on communities, starting with wildfires in Brazil.
Get in touch
If you’d like to learn more about our super pollutants programme and would like to be included in any future updates, get in touch with us directly at superpollutants@cleanairfund.org.