Climate and Energy

The more quickly we reduce all of the pollutants driving climate change—carbon dioxide and climate “super pollutants” like black carbon, methane, and hydrofluorocarbons—the more likely it is we’ll have the safe, stable climate our communities need to stay healthy and vibrant.

Bolstering critical carbon dioxide cuts with reductions of black carbon, methane, and hydrofluorocarbons is a critical step toward achieving a safe, stable climate. Cutting these climate pollutants will also deliver improved air quality, better public health, including in vulnerable communities, and greater food security.

How We Do It

Readily available solutions exist to quickly reduce climate super pollutants today. Our strategies include supporting:

Phasing Down Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

We support global efforts to cut emissions of HFCsLooking for more information? You can dive deeper with these resources:

— Well Under 2 Degrees Celsius, a report on reducing short-lived climate pollutants

— Fumes Across the Fence Line, the health impacts of oil and gas pollution

— An index of science publications on methane, black carbon, HFCs, and other climate pollutants

Want to go further? These organizations offer a wide range of information on SLCPs:

— Clean Air Task Force

— Climate & Clean Air Coalition

— Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development

— International Council on Clean Transportation1, one of the fastest growing climate pollutants. Governments, civil society, and industry worldwide are partnering to curb the use of this potent pollutant effectively, quickly, and in ways that promote energy efficiency.

Cutting Black Carbon

Diesel trucks are a primary emitter of black carbonLooking for more information? You can dive deeper with these resources:

— Well Under 2 Degrees Celsius, a report on reducing short-lived climate pollutants

— Fumes Across the Fence Line, the health impacts of oil and gas pollution

— An index of science publications on methane, black carbon, HFCs, and other climate pollutants

Want to go further? These organizations offer a wide range of information on SLCPs:

— Clean Air Task Force

— Climate & Clean Air Coalition

— Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development

— International Council on Clean Transportation1. By cleaning up fuel and putting filters on trucks and buses, we can reduce black carbon and other air pollutants, cooling the planet and helping save millions of lives. That is why we support cleaner vehicle emissions standards. We also support research and the development of solutions to curb black carbon in the marine shipping sector, another critical source of this pollutant.

Curbing Methane Emissions

Pound for pound, over several decades methane is nearly 100 times more potent in warming the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. It also contributes to smog, creating health problems globally. We fund efforts to reduce methane emissions in the oil, gas, waste, and wastewater sectors by improving industry practices, policy, and regulations with solutions that exist nowLooking for more information? You can dive deeper with these resources:

— Well Under 2 Degrees Celsius, a report on reducing short-lived climate pollutants

— Fumes Across the Fence Line, the health impacts of oil and gas pollution

— An index of science publications on methane, black carbon, HFCs, and other climate pollutants

Want to go further? These organizations offer a wide range of information on SLCPs:

— Clean Air Task Force

— Climate & Clean Air Coalition

— Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development

— International Council on Clean Transportation1.

Raising Awareness About Climate Super Pollutants

We support research, collaboration, and outreach that increases awareness of the accelerated effect that reducing emission of short-lived climate pollutants can have on cooling our climate and improving public health. We seek to broaden the number and type of organizations working to reduce black carbon, methane, HFCs, and other climate pollutants.

Looking for more information? You can dive deeper with these resources:

— Well Under 2 Degrees Celsius, a report on reducing short-lived climate pollutants

— Fumes Across the Fence Line, the health impacts of oil and gas pollution

— An index of science publications on methane, black carbon, HFCs, and other climate pollutants

Want to go further? These organizations offer a wide range of information on SLCPs:

— Clean Air Task Force

— Climate & Clean Air Coalition

— Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development

— International Council on Clean Transportation

Rapidly reducing climate super pollutants will cool our planet, strengthen communities and economies, and improve our well-being.

Grantee Spotlight

World Resources Institute

World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization that spans more than 60 countries, with offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States. WRI’s more than 1,000 experts and staff turn big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being.

With support from the Pisces Foundation, WRI has worked with partners to scale up national ambition to achieve the Paris Agreement goals, with a specific focus on mitigating short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). WRI’s research shows that by setting stronger targets and actions to address potent SLCPs, countries have a better chance of delivering on their global commitments to hold global temperatures below catastrophic levels, while also achieving sustainable development. Momentum is growing. To date, more 30 countries have indicated their intention to include strengthened SLCP actions when they submit their next round of national climate plans under the Paris Agreement by 2020.