A group of companies including Amazon, Autodesk, Figma, Google, JPMorganChase, Salesforce, and Workday announced the launch of the Superpollutant Action Initiative, aimed at channeling $100 million to solutions to accelerate the reduction of superpollutants, or gases that are many times more potent than CO2 in terms of their global warming impact.
According to the IPCC, superpollutants, which can include gases such as methane from fossil fuels or agriculture, black carbon, or hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) from refrigerants or HVAC systems, are responsible for almost half of global warming to date, with elimination of these elements presenting one of the most powerful near-term tools to address climate change. Superpollutants are emitted from sources including energy production, agriculture, waste, and cooling systems, and while most typically remain in the atmosphere for less time than CO2, they can trap heat tens to thousands of times more powerfully.
Randy Spock, Carbon Credits and Removals Lead at Google, said:
“Superpollutants are a major part of the equation to limit atmospheric warming. Experts agree that eliminating them where we can is one of the most powerful levers we have to deliver near-term impact, playing a vital and complementary role to removing CO2. Google is excited to join our peers in accelerating progress to eliminate superpollutants.”
Under the new initiative, the companies will each identify and fund high-impact projects towards projects that capture or destroy superpollutants around the world, with a goal to deploy $100 million through 2030.
The new initiative is organized by climate solutions-focused business coalition Beyond Alliance, which will support participating companies by providing research, reporting, knowledge sharing, and other activities. Beyond Alliance said that it is also partnering with the Carbon Containment Lab and scientific experts to create a global roadmap outlining how and where private capital can be deployed to achieve the greatest impact on eliminating superpollutants.
Beyond Alliance Director Luke Pritchard said:
“We are in a decisive decade for the climate, and reducing superpollutants is one of the few levers that can bend the curve quickly. This initiative shows how companies can deploy private capital where it matters most–unlocking solutions that cut warming, improve air quality, and deliver measurable results now, while creating a clear pathway for others to follow.”
