Physical Address
23,24,25 & 26, 2nd Floor, Software Technology Park India, Opp: Garware Stadium,MIDC, Chikalthana, Aurangabad, Maharashtra – 431001 India
As the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) approaches, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a call to global leaders to end reliance on fossil fuels and implement people-centered adaptation and resilience strategies that make human health and well-being the central metric of climate success. In a COP29 special report on climate and health, along with new technical guidance on creating Healthy Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), WHO emphasizes the importance of aligning health and climate agendas to protect present and future generations from the health impacts of climate change.
“The climate crisis is a health crisis, which makes prioritizing health and well-being in climate action not only a moral and legal imperative but a strategic opportunity to unlock transformative health benefits for a more just and equitable future,” WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “COP29 is a crucial opportunity for global leaders to integrate health considerations into strategies for adapting to and mitigating climate change. WHO is supporting this work with practical guidelines and support for countries.”
A Health-First Approach to Climate Success
The WHO report recommends prioritizing human health and well-being as a top measure of climate success. This means realigning economic and financial systems to end fossil fuel reliance, investing in clean alternatives, and removing subsidies that fuel pollution and carbon emissions. According to WHO, adopting a health-centered approach to climate action could have transformative benefits not only for health outcomes but also for social equity and economic stability.
The report also urges world leaders to end subsidies for fossil fuels and instead invest in clean, sustainable alternatives. A shift in investments could greatly reduce pollution-related diseases and save nearly 2 million lives per year by implementing measures like heat-health warning systems, clean household energy, and more efficient fossil fuel pricing. WHO estimates these interventions would deliver $4 in benefits for every $1 invested.
Investing in Climate-Resilient Health Systems
The report underscores the need for climate-resilient health systems that can withstand and respond to climate-induced health risks, from respiratory diseases caused by pollution to vector-borne diseases proliferating under warming temperatures. Moreover, WHO calls for increased investment in urban planning and city infrastructure, which has a significant impact on health outcomes. Sustainable urban design, resilient housing, clean energy, and sanitation improvements are all identified as key measures to support health resilience, especially as cities are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events and other climate change impacts.
A significant component of WHO’s strategy is mobilizing financial support for health-focused climate initiatives, particularly in vulnerable regions. WHO’s Healthy NDCs technical guidance, launched with the report, provides a roadmap for countries to incorporate health into their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. While health is mentioned as a priority in 91% of NDCs, only a few countries have outlined specific measures to leverage health benefits within their climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH)
To support countries in implementing these health-focused climate actions, WHO has also highlighted the role of the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH), a coalition established to further the commitments made at COP26. ATACH now includes 90 countries and 75 partners working to build climate-resilient and sustainable health systems and foster collaboration between health and climate sectors.
ATACH aims to keep the climate-health nexus at the forefront of national, regional, and global agendas. By convening WHO Member States and stakeholders, ATACH is helping to scale up efforts and drive meaningful action on climate-resilient health systems.
COP29: An Opportunity for Collective Action
WHO’s latest report and guidance make it clear that climate change is not only an environmental challenge but a profound threat to global health. WHO believes that world leaders at COP29 can set a transformative precedent for climate policy by prioritizing health in climate action. COP29 presents a unique opportunity to secure a healthier future by making health an integral component of climate negotiations, strategies, and action plans.
The WHO’s call to action emphasizes that the climate crisis must be approached as a health crisis, requiring a comprehensive, people-centered response. Prioritizing health in climate action is no longer just an option but a necessity to address the intertwined challenges of climate and health and to secure a sustainable, equitable future.
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