The 2025 CCAC Conference in Brasilia focused on integrating Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to boost climate ambition ahead of COP30. SEI co-hosted a workshop offering practical mitigation strategies, addressing capacity gaps and emphasizing the need for tailored support to strengthen national climate commitments.
From 16-21 March, delegates from around the world gathered in Brasilia, Brazil, for the Climate and Clean Air Coalition’s (CCAC) Conference 2025 under the theme “Accelerating Action on Super Pollutants: The Road to COP30.” The event marked a key milestone on the path to COP30 in Belem, with a focus on scaling up action on Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) such as methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons.
SLCPs, while short-lived in the atmosphere, have a powerful impact on global warming and human health. Their mitigation offers a critical opportunity for countries to achieve rapid climate and air quality benefits – particularly when integrated into national climate action strategies like Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
SEI researchers Caroline Sawe, Connie O’Neill and Johan Kuylenstierna played a key role in a technical workshop at the conference on the NDCs. SEI co-organized the workshop, which brought together CCAC partners and national experts to address two objectives:
The workshop facilitated in-depth discussions on assessing countries’ progress and ambition in integrating SLCPs and explored strategies to reduce SLCP emissions from key sectors such as agriculture, waste and energy. It also emphasized the health benefits of SLCP mitigation and offered methods for quantifying these benefits in NDCs. The workshop also focused on enhancing the technical capacity of participants to incorporate SLCPs into national commitments using the CCAC’s guidance document.
Participants shared strategies for aligning NDC updates with climate change and air quality objectives. The discussions emphasized the need for tailored solutions that reflect each country’s policy landscape and economic context.
As countries actively update their NDCs, the session also opened dialogues on specific support needs for NDC 3.0 improvements, paving the way for follow-up meetings to strengthen national climate commitments and highlight co-benefits for public health.
The last day of the conference included site visits - one of which was to learn about the air quality and climate mitigation actions being taken at a local cement plant.
Photo: Connie O’Neill / SEI
A recurring challenge identified during the session was the varying capacity of countries to implement their NDCs. Many participants expressed a need for capacity building, particularly in the use of modelling tools such as the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP), which incorporates greenhouse gases, air pollutants and SLCPs. This underscored the importance of targeted training and resources to support robust climate action.
The session generated concrete requests from several countries for tailored technical support in integrating SLCPs into upcoming NDC updates, emphasizing a growing demand for practical technical assistance, including supporting the inclusion of SLCPs in national emissions inventories.
SEI’s engagement with countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America revealed significant interest in strengthening their NDCs through SLCP inclusion, updating their NDCs, or developing integrated analyses for national strategies. The ongoing partnership between SEI and Brazil to develop a national SLCP plan was also highlighted.
The CCAC Conference 2025 fostered collaboration among a broad range of stakeholders – including NGOs, philanthropic organizations, multilateral development banks and government representatives. Conversations centred on building partnerships to accelerate SLCP mitigation, particularly through integration into countries’ NDCs.
The UK, serving as the current CCAC Co-chair, was represented by Tony Kay, Deputy Head of Mission at the UK Embassy in Brazil. He reaffirmed the UK’s support for Brazil in preparing for COP30 and highlighted the UK’s ongoing efforts to reduce SLCP emissions.
Marina Silva, Brazil’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, emphasized the urgent need for countries to mitigate super pollutants to limit global warming and improve public health.
As the world progresses towards COP30 in Brazil, the insights and partnerships developed in Brasilia will be crucial for driving ambitious climate action. Integrating SLCPs into NDCs represents a key opportunity to build a healthier, more sustainable future.
Interested in learning more? Watch a recap of the session here.
Project / The project will increase the capacity of NEMA and the Uganda Ministry of Water and Environment to understand the major sources of SLCPs in the country.
Project / SEI and CCAC support Brazil's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in developing a National Plan on SLCP to combat climate change and air pollution.
Project / The project aims to assess the impact of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) on human health in Estonia.
Other publication / The first national assessment of air pollutant emission levels and the expected benefits of air pollutant emission control measures in Côte d’Ivoire.
Collection / SEI supports NDCs 3.0 with cutting-edge tools and insights for ambitious, science-based climate action plans in 2025 and beyond.
Project / SEI provides scientific inputs and policy action advice to the World Bank Global Methane Reduction Platform for Development -CH4D
