WASHINGTON, D. C. — The United States and Canada are ponying up $15 million over the next two years to kick-start a climate change program to tackle common pollutants like soot and methane.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the project Thursday in Washington with Environment Minister Peter Kent.

The U.S. is committing $12 million and Canada is providing $3 million for the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce ShortLived Climate Pollutants. It will largely be an educational campaign to share best practices and technology around the world.

So-called short-lived pollutants like black carbon (soot), methane and hydrofluorocarbons — emitted by inefficient cookstoves, open air burning of agricultural waste, diesel exhaust and methane from landfills — hang in the atmosphere for only a few years, compared to other carbon sources that stay there for centuries. The short- lived variety account for more than one-third of all global warming, Clinton said.

“By focusing on these pollutants, how to reduce them and, where possible, to use them for energy, people will see results,” Clinton said at a news conference Thursday. “This project holds a lot of promise ... But we know, of course, this effort is not the answer to the cli- mate crisis,” which will require reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

“This ( effort) is meant to complement, not supplant, the other actions we are and must be taking,” Clinton added.

Kent hailed the announcement at the Canadian Embassy Thursday.

“This is a wonderful day for the environment and all who share it,” Kent said.

bryn.weese@sunmedia.ca