Tackling Black Carbon: How to Unlock Fast Climate and Clean Air Benefits Report released by Clean Air Fund | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Tackling Black Carbon: How to Unlock Fast Climate and Clean Air Benefits Report released by Clean Air Fund

Posted 25 Mar 2025

2 min read

Report highlighted that reducing black carbon alongside other super pollutants is fastest way to achieve near-immediate climate gains while improving air quality, public health, and the economy. 

What is Black Carbon?

An infographic showing different emission sources for black carbon
  • Black carbon, commonly known as soot, is a component of fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5).  
  • Black carbon is a Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP) and lasts only days to weeks in the atmosphere.
  • Top emitters: India is second largest black carbon emitter in the world after China.

Impacts of Black Carbon

  • Global Warming: One of super pollutants alongside Methane that are responsible for half of global warming.
  • Regional Climate Impact: Darkens snow and ice, accelerating ice melting in Arctic and glaciers. 
    • It is estimated to account for 39% of Yala glacier’s mass loss in Tibetan Plateau. 
  • Disruption of Hydrological Cycle: Disrupt Asian and West African monsoon precipitation leading to increased flooding and drought risk. 

Recommendations

  • Tackling black carbon-rich sectors in and around the Arctic (focusing on gas flaring, the shipping sector, and residential heating).
  • Integrating black carbon reduction targets into national clean air and energy policies as well as in revisions of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
  • Implementing coordinated action on super-pollutants such as comprehensive waste management solutions.
  • Tags :
  • Black Carbon
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