CATF advocates for super pollutant emissions reductions in the U.S. and internationally by supporting scientific research, promoting policy initiatives, encouraging the development of financial incentives for pollution controls, and championing and defending standards that can dramatically reduce emissions of these climate super pollutants.
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CATF’s super pollutant initiatives are aimed at reducing pollutants that will have the greatest impact on warming the planet over the near term and offer the most promising targets for immediate cleanup. Taken together, efforts to reduce super pollutants globally could prevent more than half a degree C of warming along with numerous other public health and ecological benefits. CATF’s efforts target two of the most concerning short-lived climate pollutants, methane and black carbon. Because these pollutants have a much shorter atmospheric lifespan than CO2, significant cuts in their emissions will yield much faster reductions in planetary warming, as compared to reductions in CO2.
CATF is actively advocating for super pollutant emission reductions in international and domestic venues, supporting scientific research, promoting policy initiatives, encouraging the development of financial incentives for pollution controls, and championing and defending standards that can dramatically reduce emissions of these significant climate pollutants. CATF is currently focused on reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector and black carbon emissions from oil and gas flaring and the shipping industry as these offer the most promising targets for immediate cleanup through low-cost solutions and readily implementable policy changes.
Our Goal
Super Pollutants
Scope of Work
Research & Analysis: CATF investigates and reports on the negative health and environmental impacts of super pollutants. CATF also evaluates available emission control technologies and techniques to formulate best practices for controlling emissions.
Policy Advocacy: CATF works to develop and implement policy and regulatory solutions for cutting super pollutant emissions that can be applied both in the U.S. as well as internationally. CATF’s main focus is on the oil and gas sector as there is potential for significant reductions in emissions by implementing policies that are based on common sense practices and low cost emission control measures.
Education & Outreach: CATF plays a lead role in several coalitions focused on super pollutant emission cuts, engaging in public education and stakeholder outreach. CATF leads workshops and events to educate other NGOs, governing bodies, industry leaders, and other key allies around the world on the impacts of super pollutants and the best policies and practices for reducing emissions.
Litigation: CATF attorneys represent other NGO client organizations in judicial proceedings and CATF provides expert legal and technical input to the U.S. EPA, Bureau of Land Management, and other regulatory bodies on their super pollutant policies.
Achievements
- Moved black carbon and methane into mainstream of global environmental campaigning.
- Helped enact first-ever emission standards on ocean-going ships at the International Maritime Organization.
- Spurred creation of the global Climate & Clean Air Coalition to drive national action and provide technical assistance for key super pollutant emission reductions.
- Put super pollutant emission reductions at the center of climate discussions at the Arctic Council.
- Launched and led an eight-year U.S. Diesel Clean-Up Campaign resulting in many state and federal initiatives including emission limits and over $2 billion in funding that today is substantially reducing U.S. diesel emissions.
- Catalyzed formation of the U.S. Methane Partners Campaign in 2014, which secured first-ever U.S. federal methane pollution standards for the oil and gas industry in 2016.
- Helped successfully defend EPA’s methane rule from all attacks to date by the current administration.
- Supported adoption of strong, nationwide oil and gas methane standards in Mexico and Canada.
- CATF has been asked to work with five additional nations on oil and gas methane reduction strategies and regulations.
Our Experts
Meet our staff members working in super pollutants.
