By Abbas Nazil
Ministers and non-state leaders of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, for the seventh United Nations Environment Assembly to reaffirm their collective commitment to accelerating action on super pollutants as a pathway to climate stability, cleaner air, and sustainable development.
The 2025 Annual CCAC Ministerial Meeting and Reception highlighted the Coalition’s growing role as a global platform for delivering fast and cost-effective solutions that address methane, black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons, and other short-lived climate pollutants.
Held alongside UNEA-7, the meeting brought together governments, international organisations, and partners to assess progress, strengthen cooperation, and mobilise greater ambition at a time of increasing climate and air-quality risks worldwide.
The session was co-facilitated by Adalberto Maluf of Brazil and Ruth Davis of the United Kingdom, reflecting the Coalition’s co-chair leadership and its emphasis on shared responsibility across regions.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen welcomed participants and underscored the urgency of coordinated global action, while former UN Under-Secretary-General, Elliott Harris, presented an economic perspective on tackling climate change and air pollution through super pollutant mitigation.
Harris shared early insights from the forthcoming Global Economic Assessment of Climate and Clean Air, which indicate that action on super pollutants delivers net economic benefits in both the short and long term.
Ministers discussed how these findings can help unlock finance, influence key decision-makers, and overcome economic barriers that often slow progress on carbon dioxide mitigation.
Discussions highlighted progress made under UNEA Resolution 6/10 on regional cooperation to improve air quality, as well as the launch of the CCAC Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator.
Through interactive exchanges, ministers outlined national priorities and emphasised the importance of translating global commitments into concrete domestic action.
Participants stressed that reducing super pollutants complements long-term decarbonisation by delivering immediate climate, health, and productivity benefits.
Ministers reaffirmed commitments to address emissions across all major sectors, including energy, agriculture, waste, and cooling, and to support CCAC initiatives such as the Fossil Fuel Regulatory Programme and Farmers’ FIRST.
A UK-led statement on drastically cutting methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector, endorsed by 11 countries at COP30, was cited as a strong example of partnership-driven action.
Building on its earlier success in supporting the Kigali Amendment, the Coalition also committed to tackling the dumping of inefficient cooling equipment that uses high-global-warming-potential refrigerants.
Countries reiterated support for circular economy approaches and improved waste management, backed in 2025 by the first round of CCAC cross-sectoral Challenge funding.
A central focus of the meeting was the Super Pollutant Country Action Accelerator, launched at COP30 with seven initial countries.
Ministers described the Accelerator as a transformative mechanism for implementation, capable of expanding access to finance, strengthening institutions, and raising leadership visibility at regional and global levels.
They called on partners to support the goal of assisting 30 countries by 2030 and mobilising at least 150 million dollars for the CCAC Trust Fund.
The meeting also recognised progress in elevating air quality on the global political agenda, including its designation as a priority by the G20 under South Africa’s 2025 leadership.
Emerging evidence from the forthcoming Economic Assessment shows that the health and economic costs of air pollution extend far beyond mortality, reinforcing the urgency of action.
Ministers noted that more countries are now integrating super pollutant measures into their national climate plans, improving transparency and strengthening near-term climate outcomes.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Coalition committed to maintaining momentum through ambitious workplans, major scientific assessments, and expanded technical assistance.
The meeting ended with partners’ renewed resolve, building on more than a decade of collaboration to deliver measurable climate, health, and development benefits worldwide.