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Black Carbon Policy: Options and Opportunities

Black Carbon Policy: Options and Opportunities. Dennis Clare Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development March 17, 2010 Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Washington, DC.

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Black Carbon Policy: Options and Opportunities

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  1. Black Carbon Policy: Options and Opportunities Dennis Clare Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development March 17, 2010 Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Washington, DC

  2. First: a qualification about the claim that incomplete combustion of biomass leads to black particles that cause health problemsThere is at least one critical exception to this rule:If instead of fully burning it you merely roast certain types of biomass—say, barley—then the black particles can serve to benefit health….

  3. Happy St. Patrick’s Day

  4. Moving on…How is black carbon being regulated around the world?It isn’t…per se

  5. Particulate matter (PM) is regulated in some places, but not in others.Therefore, BC, which is a species of PM, is covered indirectly under some of these laws.And some PM laws have led to significant BC reductions.

  6. However, regulations for PM10 are more common than regulations for PM2.5, which better address BC.BC is typically .1 μm or smaller (e.g. 300 nm) so these very fine particles are not always effectively addressed when they are not specifically targeted

  7. Regulations may be needed for BC per seorAt least for the specific sources that emit the most harmful BC

  8. Sources with high ratios of BC

  9. Not like Guinness

  10. Sources whose emissions are killing people directly

  11. Sources whose emissions effect snow and ice

  12. Where does that lead us?

  13. US-China BC cooperation could be a first step towards a quadrilateral partnership which might also include the EU and IndiaEmissions from these four constitute a majority of BC from contained combustion

  14. From USCCSP

  15. Some good things are already being doneBut nowhere near enough

  16. Studies and ReportsU.S. Congress has called upon EPA to draft a report on BC including: sources, warming effects, metrics and potential domestic and international mitigation optionsUNEP is undertaking an assessment of non-CO2 climate forcers, with a focus on black carbonThe Arctic Council is conducting an assessment of black carbon impactsCLTRAP is also investigating how BC can be addressed USAID is finalizing a report on BCThe Indian government is undertaking a three-year study of the climate effects of black carbon

  17. Acknowledgment and Commitment“We are also committed to taking rapid action to address other significant climate forcing agents, such as black carbon.”

  18. Policies and ProgramsThe US and EU have strong vehicle emissions regulations including standards that eliminate more than 90% of BC from new diesel vehiclesIndia has recently launched a National Biomass Cookstoves Initiative

  19. Additional Efforts NeededThe US and EU should also require in-use vehicles to be retrofitted with DPFs, the filters that reduce BC over 90%India should make sure that the cookstoves used in the program effectively address BC, and don’t just reduce emissions of other, perhaps cooling, particles. Then the effort should be scaled up to tens of millions of stoves

  20. Four things to consider And to discuss over the next hour or so

  21. Key Actions to Reduce BC • Cooking stove replacements • Diesel vehicles: engine efficiency, filter, retirement and retrofit requirements • Improve efficiency of industrial boilers, kilns and coke ovens • Reduce springtime agricultural burning, especially near ice and snow

  22. Policies to Catalyze Key Actions Strengthen specific domestic regulations (e.g., PM2.5 standards) Mandate filters on all diesel engines Regulate springtime burning (and enfo) Integrate air pollution, development, health and climate objectives for cost-effectiveness and co-benefits, especially when addressing cookstoves

  23. Governance Regimes to Coordinate and Facilitate those PoliciesUNFCCC: COP 16 Decision Establishing a Work Program for Rapid Climate Mitigation(as proposed by Micronesia)Borrow existing regulatory structures - international (IMO, ICAO, LRTAP etc.) - regional (ASEAN haze treaty, etc.)Ensure eligibility in all climate funds (e.g. World Bank, GEF, UNDP)No international regime?

  24. Different states may prefer different governance regimesFor example, how do China’s concerns and needs differ from those of the United States or from those of Small Islands?

  25. For more information Contact Dennis Clare dclare@igsd.org Or read IGSD’s BC Climate Briefing Note available at www.igsd.org

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