HFC reduction key to climate targets

THAILAND: Without action on short-lived climate pollutants like HFCs there is little chance of reaching greenhouse gas emission targets, a new UN report claims.

The new report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows there is still a long way to go to reach the Paris Agreement’s 1.5˚C goal. But the report claims that the best chance to avoid runaway warming is to act right away to reduce highly potent but short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) like HFCs.

“The report emphasises that reaching low warming targets is so challenging that we need to use all the options at our disposal. Since they typically have relatively low costs, least-cost mitigation pathways tend to maximise SLCP reductions,” Dr Shindell said. “The IPCC Special Report also highlights how SLCP reductions contribute to many of the world’s sustainable development goals.”

“Without action on short-lived climate pollutants there is little chance to reach the Paris Agreement’s 1.5˚C goal. Reducing these pollutants must be done in addition to a fast switch to a low-carbon economy,” said Helena Molin Valdés, head of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. “Short-lived climate pollutants are the low hanging fruit in the fight against climate change. We have the tools and proven technologies and policies to help countries achieve immediate reductions, and by doing so we can solve air pollution and climate simultaneously.”