Gibraltar has become a member of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), an international organisation made up of national governments, private companies and civil society working towards the reduction of short-lived pollutants such as carbon and Hydrofluorocarbons.
With its headquarters in Paris, the CCAC is becoming an increasingly important player in driving efforts to reduce carbon emissions throughout the world. The Coalition’s main aims are to address short-lived climate pollutants by:
- Raising awareness of short-lived climate pollutant impacts and mitigation strategies;
- Enhancing and developing new national and regional actions, including by identifying and overcoming barriers, enhancing capacity, and mobilizing support;
- Promoting best practices and showcasing successful efforts;
- Improving scientific understanding of short-lived climate pollutant impacts and mitigation strategies.
The CCAC works at different levels. Its Secretariat is provided by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Ministers of country partners and heads of Partner organisations take part in the High-Level Assembly, and there is a scientific panel, task forces and working groups.
Gibraltar intends to play an active role in the organization.
Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, the Hon Dr John Cortes, attended the high level meeting held at the UN Climate Change Forum in New York in late 2014 as a prospective member. Minister Cortes commented: “I am extremely pleased that Gibraltar can now formally participate in the Coalition. It is a highly proactive organization from which we can learn a great deal and to whose work we can contribute from our own progress in environmental governance. Clearly, participation at this level also serves to promote Gibraltar and allows it to be it seen as playing a full role in the international community”.
