Sweden is working actively to reduce the presence of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) and is one of the founding members of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to reduce SLCPs (CCAC). Sweden serves on the CCAC Steering Committee and is involved in seve- ral of the Coalition’s initiatives. The drive to reduce the presence of SLCPs complements necessary efforts to reduce emissions of long-lived greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide. Only by substantial reductions of carbon dioxide can we meet the target of limiting the rise in global temperature to two degrees.
Short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) is a collective term for black carbon particles, ground-level ozone, short-lived hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and methane.
These substances have a short lifetime in the
atmosphere –from a matter of days to about a decade – relative to carbon dioxide. Diesel-driven vehicles, wor- king machinery and ships as well as wood burning and decomposing organic waste in landfills produce emis- sions of these pollutants. Reducing their presence in the atmosphere will bring rapid benefits for air quality, agricultural yields and the climate. From a national perspective, reducing SLCP emissions can help Sweden to achieve several of its 16 environmental quality objec- tives more quickly.
The work of the Coalition
In 2012, Sweden has provided SEK 1.8 million to sup- port the Coalition’s Secretariat and enable developing countries to participate, and SEK 10 million to fund operational activities, i.e. programmes aimed at redu- cing SLCP emissions.
Initially, the Coalition is focusing on the following areas:
• Reducing Black Carbon Emissions from Heavy Duty Diesel Vehicles and Engines
The Coalition is working to reduce the climate and health impacts of black carbon and particulate matter (PM) emissions in the transport sector.
• Mitigating Black Carbon and Other Pollutants From Brick Production
This initiative focuses on addressing emissions of black carbon and other pollutants from brick pro- duction to reduce the harmful climate, air pollu- tion, economic, and social impacts from this sector.
• Mitigating SLCPs from the Municipal Solid Waste Sector
The Coalition is working to address methane, black carbon, and other air pollutants emissions across the municipal solid waste sector by working with cities and national governments.
INFORMATION LEAFTLET FROM SWEDISH MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT December 2012
Swedish efforts to reduce black carbon,
methane and ground-level ozone
SE 103 33 Stockholm • + 46 8 405 10 00 www.government.se/environment
• Promoting HFC Alternative Technology and Standards
For this initiative, governments and the private sector will be targeted to address rapidly growing HFC emissions, which could account for as much as 19% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050 if left unchecked.
• Accelerating Methane and Black Carbon Reduc- tions from Oil and Natural Gas Production The Coalition is working with key stakeholders to encourage cooperation and support the implemen- tation of new and existing measures to substanti- ally reduce methane emissions from natural gas venting, leakage, and flaring.
Sweden is particularly involved in the following pro- jects : Reducing Black Carbon Emissions from Heavy Duty Diesel Vehicles and Engines, Mitigating SLCPs from the Municipal Solid Waste Sector, and Accelera- ting Methane and Black Carbon Reductions from Oil and Natural Gas Production. These are areas where Sweden has much to contribute. We have a strong vehicle industry and far-reaching requirements for vehicles and the fuel they use. Sweden also has know- ledge and experience to share in the waste sector.
Action in Sweden
A key principle in the Coalition is that all members also work at national level to reduce SLCP emissions, and work is in progress in Sweden to identify measures for further reductions. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has been tasked with developing black carbon emissions inventories, which is a neces- sary step if we are to take the right measures. Another dimension of national action is to raise the level of awa- reness of SLCPs. As part of this, Sweden hosted a semi- nar about SLCPs and the CCAC together with the USA in Stockholm in June 2012.
Sweden cooperates closely with its Nordic neigh- bours – which are also members of the CCAC – on SLCP mitigation. SLCPs will be one of the focus areas for the Swedish Chairmanship of the Nordic Council
Production: Ministry of the Environmnet Photo: Marianne Andersson/Regeringskansliet Tryck: Grafisk service, Elanders
Stockholm, December 2012 Artikel nr. M2012:12.
About the Coalition:
www.unep.org/ccac
Information on work with SLCP in Sweden:
www.smhi.se/slcf
www.government.se/environment
Read more
of Ministers in 2013. A united stance will enable the Nordic region to lead the way in reducing the presence of SLCPs in the region and globally.
Other initiatives to limit SLCP emissions
Sweden is also working actively as chair of the Arctic Council to limit SLCP emissions in the Arctic region.
Reducing black carbon in the Arctic is particularly important as these emissions increase regional war- ming, and a rapidly warming climate in the Arctic will have global consequences. There is also a special SLCP Task Force under the Arctic Council, with a Swedish co-chair, tasked to present concrete measures for the Arctic to reduce SLCPs.
International agreements are important for tackling black carbon emissions from shipping, particularly agreements under the UN’s maritime agency, the IMO.
In 2010, Sweden, together with Norway and the United States, submitted proposals to the IMO on measures to reduce black carbon emissions from shipping in the Arctic. In the longer term, Sweden hopes to work with other IMO Member States on such regulations.
In the context of the UN Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP), which regula- tes emissions of air pollutants at regional level, Sweden has urged and gained support for the inclusion of black carbon as an issue when deciding on a new agreement on emissions reductions up until 2020. Emissions can only be reduced on the basis of measurement data and emission inventories of satisfactory quality. Sweden is therefore contributing to the methods development project that is now starting under the Convention.
Sweden is also actively working to include SLCPs in the EU in connection with the current review of EU air quality policy.
