Vladimir Chouprov, from Greenpeace Russia, describes the challenges of forest fires in the Arctic nations

“Carbon Dioxide” is definitely the phrase of the day when it comes to climate change talks. This greenhouse gas has become synonymous with the challenge of rising global temperatures, and indeed, it is estimated to be responsible for nearly 40 percent of climate change. However, there are other greenhouse gases that have, until now, received less attention. These gases, such as hydroflourocarbons (HFCs), chloroflourocarbons (CFCs), nitrous oxides and other pollutants are crucial for quickly reducing climate change.

Black carbon is a form of particulate air pollution, released through the incomplete burning of biomass, biofuels and fossil fuels, such as coal and diesel. According to Professor V. Ramanathan, of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, it is estimated to have as much as 60 percent of the global warming effect of carbon dioxide. Yet until recently it was not recognised as a warming agent at all. Although of significance across the globe, black carbon has a particularly concerning effect on tundra regions, which include the North and South poles, as well as mountainous areas.

“Over 90 percent of the black carbon emitted by nations in the Arctic-region (which lie above 40 degrees latitude), comes from agricultural, forest or peat fires”, said Elena Koblets, Director for Development at  Russia-based Bellona Foundation, an international environmental NGO based in Norway, at a UN climate summit side event this week. In the southern hemisphere, Koblets said, the main source is different. Far more comes from the burning of diesel for transport and power, as well as from biomass burning for heat and cooking.

When sunlight reaches suspended black carbon particles in the air, it is absorbed as heat, warming the air directly around it. Furthermore, when this sooty residue deposits on snow and ice, it darkens the surface causing the ground to absorb more light as heat and melt at a faster rate than it would otherwise. On a large scale, melt may accelerate the loss of stable water resources in the form of glaciers and snow. It can also cause changes in local ecosystem dynamics with each species responding differently to the changes in snow and ice availability.

Despite its significance, black carbon is barely on the agenda in Copenhagen. It receives a brief mention in one of the negotiating texts (the “LCA text”) and they are hoping to get it into one other (the “vision text”). At this late stage of the negotiations, observers said it seems too difficult to introduce new greenhouse gases but that strong voluntary actions and domestic policy change to address black carbon emissions is essential.

“Black carbon projects are not eligible for clean development mechanism funding at this time, but that’s the kind of step that the UN could take,” said Pam Pearson, of the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative.

“Over 12 million hectares of agricultural fires take place every year in Russia alone and 97 percent of forest fires are started by agricultural fires,” Pearson said. These agricultural fires are started by farmers to improve soil cultivation and to drive animals from the fields.

In Russia, state and national laws to prevent farmers from burning their crops, along with training on farming methods that avoid fires, are urgently needed in the region, said Vladimir Chouprov, head of energy projects at Greenpeace Russia. In Asia, particularly in the countries of the Greater Himalayan Region, similar discussions are being initiated, with clean development emerging as a key requirement if black carbon emissions from diesel combustion and biomass burning are to be addressed. The government of India recently rolled out an improved cookstove program in this regard.

Steven Chu, US Secretary of Energy, also announced plans today, along with Australia and Italy to provide LED lights in areas reliant on hurricane lamps and wicked lamps.

“We want to replace the hurricane and wicked lamps with high quality LED,” Chu said, adding that additional research would be dedicated to improving the lights’ quality. “If we introduce new technology and some don’t work as well, it’ll cause classic market spoiling.” The program also expects to lower the price of LEDs globally.

“Addressing black carbon will be key to slowing down the rate of global warming”, said Pearson, who explained that unlike carbon dioxide, which stays in the atmosphere for more than 100 years, black carbon remains for only a few weeks. This means that changing practices that release black carbon can have a rapid effect on the warming of our atmosphere and rapid ice and snow melt, through being removed from the atmosphere far more rapidly that carbon dioxide. “A lot of science still needs to happen, but this is no reason for lack of action” she added.

Staff Writer Ben Block contributed to this report.