Initiative by United States, United Nations to Cut Short-Term Climate Pollutants a Positive Step

Reducing black carbon pollutants a major part of program

WASHINGTON – (February 16, 2012) – A United Nations program unveiled today to help reduce methane, hydrofluorcarbons, black carbon from diesel engines and other pollutants will help curb climate change and also save millions of lives over the long-term, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Rich Kassel, NRDC senior attorney and director of NRDC’s Clean Fuels and Vehicles Initiative, made the following statement after the United States announced it will join the U.N. program:

“This is a historic and overdue step that will do a world of good. Cutting black carbon from dirty diesel engines is a particularly vital step.

“Going forward, it’s important for the United States to follow through with ensuring the phase-out of its own emissions, while working with other countries to help them with their efforts.”

For more details, see Rich’s blog here. To speak with Rich or other NRDC experts on this topic, please contact Elizabeth Heyd at eheyd@nrdc.org or Bob Keefe at bkeefe@nrdc.org.