Super Pollutants

Our Efforts

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 Celsius 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 emissions reductions in international and domestic venues, supporting scientific research, promoting policy initiatives, encouraging the development of financial incentives for pollution controls where appropriate, and championing and defending standards that can dramatically reduce emissions of these significant climate pollutants. CATF’s three primary strategies include:

• Strengthening ongoing policy advocacy to reduce methane and black carbon at the regional, national, and subnational levels;
• Developing cross-cutting capacity to accelerate multinational action, including funding mechanisms to help developing countries achieve their emissions reduction goals and research capacity to identify promising solutions for large, neglected emissions sources;
• Supporting high-level political commitments to create the needed momentum to spur emissions reductions at scale.

Reducing methane and black carbon emissions from the fossil fuel sector offers one of the most promising targets for immediate cleanup through low-cost solutions and readily implementable policy changes. Immediate reductions in these super pollutants across sectors, including fossil fuels, agriculture and waste, are “first aid” for the planet that can help us avoid near-term and irreversible impacts and reduce the rate of warming.

En Español: Iniciativas de CATF en materia de Contaminantes Climáticos de Vida Corta

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 and create tools for regulators.
• 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 works across sectors, including 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. In 2021, Clean Air Task Force’s Super Pollutants Program Director was elected to the Board of Directors.
• 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. In 2021, they successfully advocated for restoring those 2016 standards under the Congressional Review Act.
• Supported adoption of strong, nationwide oil and gas methane standards in Mexico and Canada.
• CATF has been asked to work with many additional nations on oil and gas methane reduction strategies and regulations, with a deep focus currently on Europe and Latin America and emerging projects in other regions.
• Supported the successful launch of the Global Methane Pledge in 2021, with more than 100 countries participating.