A new report by the Clean Air Fund and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) highlights the urgent need to reduce black carbon (BC) emissions, often seen as soot, due to their significant impact on climate and human health.
Key Highlights
- Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP):
- Black carbon has a short lifespan but causes long-term environmental damage.
- Impact on the Cryosphere:
- BC accelerates ice melt in the Arctic and in the broader cryosphere—including glaciers, ice sheets, icebergs, and sea ice—contributing significantly to global sea-level rise.
- Effects on Monsoons and Agriculture:
- Disrupts Asian and West African monsoon precipitation, leading to increased flooding that adversely affects agriculture, livelihoods, and local communities.
- Contributes to localized warming and extreme heat events.
- Major Sources in South Asia:
- Cooking, heating, and lighting in households are the primary sources of BC emissions.
- Industrial activities such as rice milling, brick making, and sugar production also significantly contribute to emissions.
- Case Study in the Central Himalayas:
- One study showed that BC contributed to 39% of total mass loss on a glacier during the pre-monsoon period, highlighting its role in accelerating glacier melt.
- Policy Recommendations:
- The report calls for the integration of black carbon reduction targets into national clean air and energy policies.
- Urges countries to prioritize BC in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to slow climate change and reduce air pollution.
- Investment in clean cooking, heating, and lighting technologies is critical, especially in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, to lower emissions and improve public health.
(Source: ICIMOD)
