The Expert Group on Black Carbon and Methane meets for the second time in Helsinki, Finland on 8-9 June. Reduction of black carbon and methane emitted within and beyond the borders of Arctic States will have a substantial impact on the Arctic, leading to near-term climate, health, and economic benefits in the Arctic and globally.

The Arctic Council's Expert Group in Support of the Implementation of the Framework for Action on Black Carbon and Methane (EGBCM) holds its second meeting on 8-9 June 2016 in Helsinki, Finland. The first gathering of the EGBCM was held in Reykjavik in January 2016. The EGBCM is chaired by Karen Florini (U.S.), and grew out of the Task Force on Black Carbon and Methane, which operated during the second Canadian Chairmanship of the Arctic Council (2013-2015). 

In Iqaluit in April 2015, at the conclusion of the Canadian Chairmanship, Ministers of the Arctic States adopted "Enhanced black carbon and methane emissions reductions: An Arctic Council framework for action". In that document, it was acknowledged that the reduction of black carbon and methane emitted within and beyond the borders of Arctic States will have substantial impact on the Arctic and lead to near-term climate, health, and economic benefits in the Arctic and globally. The Ministers also agreed to establish an Expert Group tasked with developing a “Summary of Progress and Recommendations” on how to implement the framework for action.

During its first meeting, the Expert Group reviewed existing research and data on black carbon and methane stemming from national emissions inventories and Arctic Council Working Groups. The participants drew attention to lessons learned from national experiences, highlighted effective policies and practices, and discussed sectors that could benefit from additional cooperation.