The Paris Agreement, adopted on 12 December 2015, marked the beginning of a new era in the global response to climate change. The world now has a global climate treaty that is becoming a public health treaty as countries take action. “The right to health”, acknowledged in the Paris Agreement, is central to the actions that are to be taken.
At this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP23), health will be a key theme. Among cross-sectoral events which will feature health throughout the conference, there will be a high-level event addressing “Health Actions for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement” on 12 November 2017.
At this event special attention will be paid to the least developed countries and small island developing states, with discussions aiming to;
- Showcase the ongoing initiatives of national governments and the wider health community, in implementing the health commitments of the Paris agreement and the health and climate agenda.
- Assess the current state of progress, and identify ongoing barriers to stronger action to protect and promote health while addressing climate change.
Global Conference on Climate Change and Health
The Global Climate and Health Summit, will also run in parallel to the COP in Bonn, Germany on 11 November 2017.
The Global Climate and Health Summit will focus, through a health lens, on action in cities and regions to advance implementation of national targets under the Paris Agreement and build momentum for increased ambition in climate commitments. It will serve as an opportunity to promote the investment in communities and health systems, increase awareness of sustainable urban and regional development in the context of climate change and health, and strengthen collaboration among health organizations and with other sectors to increase capacity of the global response to climate change.
The Summit will combine dynamic plenary presentations with high-level political representation to engage influence and encourage commitment to action, explore the political context, and raise awareness of the issues being faced; with an action-oriented “World Cafe” segment which will act as a best practice sharing exercise to share health sector measures and activities, resources, encourage intellectual exchange and galvanize implementation.
UN Climate Change and WHO Join Forces at COP23
WHO and the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding during COP23 to renew the two institutions’ joint commitment to tackle public health challenges emerging from rising temperatures and to help countries boost the efficiency of their response to climate change.
The agreement will address the need to ensure that countries with weak or inadequate health infrastructure receive support to protect human health and build climate resilience to respond to such threats.
The signing of this MoU recognizes that the protection and enhancement of health is an essential pillar of sustainable development, requiring the widest possible cooperation by all countries and other relevant stakeholders.
Launch of special initiative to address climate change impact on health in Small Island Developing States
WHO, in collaboration with the UN Climate Change secretariat and in partnership with the Fijian Presidency of the twenty-third Conference of the Parties (COP23), has launched a special initiative during COP23 to protect people living in Small Island Developing States from the heath impacts of climate change.
The initiative has 4 main goals.
First, to amplify the voices of health leaders in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), so they have more impact at home and internationally.
Second, to gather the evidence to support the business case for investment in climate change and health.
Third, to promote policies that improve preparedness and prevention, including "climate proof" health systems.
Fourth, to triple the levels of international financial support to climate and health in small island developing states.
Learn more about the Special initiative on Climate change and health in SIDS here.