International Initiatives on Air Quality and Climate Change

In this chapter we introduce a number of international governance frameworks and initiatives that, to varying degrees, support and advance integrated policy making on air pollution and climate change. This is often achieved via governance of and/or attention to short-lived climate-forcing pollutants (SLCPs), which have negative impacts on both climate and air quality. We consider UN institutions including UN Climate Change and the UN Environment Program as well as non-UN bodies such as the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, and the Arctic Council. We examine their structure, focus, and activities, considering the ways in which they increase the integration of air quality and climate change policy making. Overall, there is broad recognition that an integrated approach can help avoid unintended consequences as well as capitalize on synergies and create multiple benefits – not only for air quality and climate, but for other development goals, including employment and food and energy security. Reflecting this, the international governance landscape has begun to trend towards more integration. Although most relevant international bodies began with and maintain a focus on either air quality or climate change, many have taken on work streams in the other, complementary field. The increased integration of the two topics is also reflected in increased interlinkages between these organizations themselves, for which there are large overlaps in membership as well as formal cooperative activities and programs.