Introductory Meeting and Scoping Session. September 17 – 19, 2013. Whitehorse, Yukon. Summary Report.

Abstract

"The task force co-chairs France Jacovella, Director General of Climate Change International, Environment Canada and Annika Markovic, Swedish Ambassador for Environment chaired the first meeting of the Task Force for Action on Black Carbon and Methane. This meeting was a broad scoping discussion that focused on sharing views on the various tasks identified in the Task Force’s Terms of Reference, included in the 2013 Senior Arctic Officials report to Ministers. All Arctic States with the exception of Russia and Iceland were present. Two of the six Permanent Participants, Arctic Athabaskan Council (AAC) and Aleut International Association (AIA), were also present. The Task Force had a constructive and productive discussion on each of the tasks. Both co-chairs underlined the high importance of the work of the Task Force for their governments, and stated that the Task Force has the potential to contribute to real reduction of emissions through concrete measures that will have positive health and climate benefits in the North. In discussing their expectations for the task force, delegates pointed to the importance of this work for Arctic communities and beyond given the potential for “on the ground results”. They also highlighted the need for an ambitious outcome. Many underlined that the Arctic Council is the right venue for this work, and that the task force should strive to work fast given the urgency of its mandate. There was broad agreement that duplication of work should be avoided and that the work of the previous task force on Short Lived Climate Forcers (SLCFs) provided a solid technical and scientific foundation for further deliberations regarding an arrangement/ agreement or other deliverable under this Task Force. The initial discussion also highlighted the importance of engaging Arctic Council observers and other stakeholders (international bodies, civil society, and private sector). Many pointed to the important fact that the work on reducing black carbon and methane emissions for climate purposes is complementary to the international work to reduce CO2 emissions." /.../