Understanding black carbon emissions and the strategies to reduce them—one of the fastest ways to slow near-term climate change.
Black carbon (BC), often called "soot," is a fine particulate matter produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass. It consists of tiny, light-absorbing carbon particles.
Unlike CO₂, black carbon is a short-lived climate pollutant lasting days to weeks in the atmosphere. It contributes significantly to global warming by:
It is estimated to be the second- or third-largest contributor to human-induced warming after CO₂, while also causing millions of premature deaths annually due to air pollution.
Black carbon emissions come primarily from:
Traditional biomass or coal stoves in developing regions
Trucks, buses, and off-road machinery
Brick kilns, coke production
Agricultural waste and wildfires
Oil and gas operations
Heavy fuel oil combustion
Black carbon has a warming effect 200-2,000 times stronger than CO₂ on a per-molecule basis, making it a critical short-term climate target.
Deposits on snow and ice reduce reflectivity, accelerating melting in the Arctic and high-altitude regions.
Black carbon particles penetrate deep into lungs, causing respiratory diseases, heart disease, and premature death.
Reduced sunlight from atmospheric BC and snow darkening affects crop productivity.
Reducing black carbon is one of the fastest ways to slow near-term climate change, with co-benefits for health and agriculture. Many strategies use existing, cost-effective technologies and could cut emissions by up to 80% globally.
Targeted actions could avoid ~0.1–0.2°C of warming by mid-century while saving lives and improving air quality.
| Sector | Main Strategies | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Household Energy | Switch to clean fuels (LPG, electricity) or advanced clean cookstoves | Dramatically reduces indoor pollution and BC emissions |
| Transport | Install diesel particulate filters (DPFs); enforce low-emission standards; promote electric vehicles | Highly effective; proven in regions like California |
| Industry | Upgrade to efficient designs (e.g., zigzag kilns for bricks) | Significant reductions in high-emission areas like South Asia |
| Other | Ban open agricultural burning; eliminate gas flaring; restrict heavy fuel oil in shipping | Protects sensitive regions like the Arctic |
As a Black Carbon Expert volunteer, you can:
Climate and Clean Air Coalition: Global initiative promoting BC reduction
UNEP Reports: Comprehensive assessments on BC emissions and mitigation
WHO Guidelines: Health impacts and air quality standards
National Programs: Country-specific BC reduction initiatives and targets
Connect with our Black Carbon Expert team: