PRESS RELEASE 2 November 2009
International measures to counter air pollution also benefit the climate
Not only do harmful air pollutants affect the environment and health, they also affect the climate. The mandate of the international air conventions should therefore be extended to include the climatic effects of air pollution. This is the conclusion now being presented by the international Air & Climate conference.
There are many links between air and climate, and there is therefore a real need to coordinate the work carried out within these areas.
“By taking the right measures, we can ensure significant improvements for both air quality and the climate, at a considerably lower overall cost,” says Anna Engleryd, Negotiator for international air pollution issues at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Change Department. “During the Swedish presidency, we therefore want to promote the issue of how international air pollution work can help to reduce climate change.”
The conclusions now being presented by the Air & Climate conference, held in Gothenburg from 19 to 21 October, include recommendations on how the impact of air pollution on the climate can be addressed within the various conventions. Behind these recommendations are more than 200 of the world’s leading researchers, experts and policymakers within the field.
One of the highlighted measures involves the opportunities for replacing the widespread use of open fires for cooking food – which is common in much of the world – with an alternative that does not create such large emissions of soot.
“In developing countries in particular, comprehensive measures are needed in order to improve air quality so that health can be quickly improved – especially for women and children,” adds Peringe Grennfelt, Scientific Director at the Swedish Environmental Research Institute. “At the same time, these measures would also help to reduce the impact on the climate.”
A number of air pollutants have significant effects on the climate. For example, particles can both speed up and counteract global warming. A key question is therefore how to devise solutions that bring benefits not only in terms of the climate but also for the environment and health.
The high levels of carbon emissions – which effectively absorb incoming sunlight – are of particular importance. As well as being of great significance while in the atmosphere, these particles are also important in terms of the acceleration of Arctic icecap melting and glacial melting.
For further information, please contact:
Anna Engleryd, Negotiator for international air pollution issues, Climate Change Department, +46 (0)76 886 43 89, anna.engleryd(a)naturvardsverket.se
Anneli Nivrén, Press officer, +46 (0)8 698 13 12, +46 (0)70 206 37 27, anneli.nivren(a)naturvardsverket.se