Webinar on Understanding Short-Lived Climate Forcers for Improved Air Quality and Climate information
The EU-HORIZON project “Non-CO2 Forcers and their Climate, Weather, Health, and Air Quality Impacts” (FOCI) aims to bridge knowledge gaps on the impacts of non-CO₂ climate forcing pollutants (also known as short-lived climate pollutants) such as black carbon (soot), brown carbon, methane (CH4), tropospheric ozone (O3), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). While the causes and processes connected to greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) are well known, including their ability to trap and heat the earth’s atmosphere, and their environmental and health impacts, there is less information on the effects of many of these non-CO₂ forcings.
FOCI will assess the environmental and health impacts of these non-CO₂ forcers, including how and where they arise. To achieve this, researchers use sophisticated computer models to simulate the interactions between various components of the Earth’s systems. Such components, including the earth’s atmosphere, will be studied to understand and predict the impact of non-CO₂ forces on the earth’s climate system using the global Earth System Models (ESMs) and Regional Climate Models (RCMs). Findings from the research will inform the development and adaptation of climate-related policies and strategies.
The International Day of Clean Air for blue skies day was designated by the 74th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on September 7th. This resolution highlighted the need for raising public awareness at all levels to address air quality concerns. The urgency to address short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) is reinforced by findings from the IPCC 6th Assessment Report, which highlight their additional contributions to global warming and the co-benefits of considering climate and air quality mitigation simultaneously. Other global initiatives, such as the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) are driving international efforts to reduce emissions of these pollutants. The work package on communication and dissemination (WP8) within FOCI is tasked with organising training sessions for early-career researchers (ECRs) and stakeholders on the scientific outputs and operational applications of the project. It also proposes the organisation of a webinar as part of Clean Air Day 2025 (#CAD2025).
The webinar aims to provide ECRs with an overview of short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs), their sources, trends, mitigation strategies, and the broad climate and air quality benefits of targeting their reduction.
Please register for the webinar using the link below:
The draft agenda is available here, and the concept note is available here.
