In anticipation of COP28, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the global health community, is emphatically advocating for the paramount consideration of the impact of climate change on health during the forthcoming negotiations. The imperative is to shift the spotlight onto human health in global deliberations, leaving no room for excuses and compelling negotiators to acknowledge their responsibility for the well-being of the world’s most invaluable asset: the health of populations worldwide.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized, “Prioritizing health is not merely a choice; it is the bedrock of resilient societies. Leaders must deliver in Dubai, ensuring robust health outcomes that their populations anticipate and their economies urgently require. It is time to alter the discourse and illustrate the substantial benefits of more assertive climate action on our health and well-being.”
The recent surge in extreme weather events worldwide provides a disconcerting glimpse into the future of a rapidly warming world. According to the IPCC report, nearly half of humanity, around 3.5 billion people, resides in areas highly susceptible to climate change. WHO’s data reveal a 70% increase in heat-related deaths among those aged over 65 globally in the past two decades. Only a dedicated effort to limit warming to 1.5 °C can prevent a future more dire than the present situation.
The escalating frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and heatwaves, are projected to strain healthcare infrastructure further. Last year’s floods in Pakistan displaced 8 million people and affected 33 million overall. Projections from the World Bank suggest that without swift and decisive action, climate change could displace approximately 216 million people by 2050.
Simultaneously, as the climate crisis threatens lives and livelihoods, global food systems struggle to sustain a growing population, and compromised water sources compound challenges. In tandem, climate change is exacerbating the prevalence of infectious diseases like dengue and cholera, imperiling millions. The time is ripe for decisive and collaborative action to mitigate the health impacts of the climate crisis and lay the groundwork for a sustainable future.
In the face of an unprecedented challenge to health systems worldwide, it is imperative to fortify these systems to be resilient, low carbon, and sustainable. Failure to act promptly will render health systems globally vulnerable to the overwhelming impacts of climate change.
Climate change is not a distant threat; it is a present danger affecting health on multiple fronts. The health community contends that climate change is already contributing to the spread of infectious diseases and vector-borne illnesses, posing a direct threat to global health that can no longer be ignored or downplayed.
Adapting health systems involves upgrading key interventions such as vector control, epidemiological surveillance, and access to safe water and sanitation. Additionally, training health staff is crucial, and support is needed to align health systems with the guidance provided in the WHO’s operational framework for building climate-resilient and low carbon health systems.
To mitigate the negative impact on health, the health community underscores the importance of reducing and stopping emissions. According to WHO, 7 million premature deaths annually are attributed to air pollution. Urgent mitigation measures, including transitioning to clean energy sources, are necessary to protect human health and create sustainable outcomes.
Recognizing the role health systems play in contributing to emissions, the health community advocates for greening the health sector. This involves decarbonizing health systems, digitalizing medicine, and implementing sustainable practices in hospitals and healthcare facilities to significantly reduce the 5% global emissions attributed to the health sector.
Over 1 billion people worldwide are served by healthcare facilities with unreliable or no electricity. For low-income countries lacking access to electricity, the health community calls for an acceleration of access to clean energy. WHO is collaborating with partners to expedite electrification of healthcare facilities through renewable energies and to lead transformative change towards cleaner energy sources, improved services, and reduced reliance on diesel and gas.
Recognizing the Financial Disparity in Health Systems
Acknowledging the financial gap in health systems, the health community calls for increased financing from new sources. The plea is to divest from and end subsidies for fossil fuels and mobilize new funds to support health systems in coping with climate change.
The WHO-led Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) is dedicated to realizing the goals set at COP26 by leveraging the collective influence of WHO Member States and stakeholders to advance climate-resilient health systems. ATACH also focuses on identifying financing needs.
With the health sector grappling with unprecedented challenges, it is imperative to address the glaring disparity in financial support. Currently, the sector receives a mere 0.5% of global climate financing. To effectively confront the many challenges ahead, from the ongoing global health crisis to the ever-evolving landscape of medical research and technological advancements, a substantial increase in resources is not only warranted but essential. By multiplying financial support, we can strengthen the sector’s ability to innovate, adapt, and provide optimal care, ensuring a resilient healthcare infrastructure for the challenges of today and the uncertainties of tomorrow.
WHO Urgent Call for Climate and Health Action at COP28
As the world unites at COP28, the health community calls for decisive action. We urge negotiators to recognize that climate action is health action, and failure to address this reality will have profound consequences for the well-being of current and future generations.
The WHO call to action unites the health community in demanding a commitment to building resilient health systems, reducing emissions, and prioritizing health. The first-ever Health Day is set to elevate the global profile of the climate and health nexus and integrate health within the climate change agenda.
Health Day and Ministerial Session
The first-ever Health Day is set to elevate the global profile of the climate and health nexus and integrate health within the climate change agenda. For the very first time, a record number of health ministers will be attending COP28. The presence of a significant number of health ministers underscores the commitment to prioritize health in the context of climate discussions and reinforces our commitment to creating a healthier and more sustainable future. The Ministerial session promises to amplify the urgency for action by bringing together global leaders to implement sustainable solutions. This historic gathering will focus on addressing the crucial intersection of health and climate change.
The legacy of COP 28 will be a commitment to a healthier planet, where the health arguments for climate action are not just heard but lead to tangible results.
