Follow-up to COP26 Health Commitments to the Initiatives on Climate Resilient and Low Carbon Sustainable Health Systems
Follow-up to COP26 Health Commitments to the Initiatives on Climate Resilient and Low Carbon Sustainable Health Systems
Twenty twenty-one was very important year for the health community in addressing climate change. For the first time in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations, a formal health programme was promoted by the UK as President of the Conference of the Parties (COP). The COP26 Health Programme included a total of four Heath Initiatives, including on climate resilient and low carbon sustainable health systems.
As of today, a total of 59 countries have committed at Minister of Health level, to strengthen the climate resilience and lower the emissions of health systems. These political commitments must now be turned into action at scale and pace.
A WHO-led mechanism to support delivery on the COP26 Health Commitments on Climate Resilient and Low Carbon Sustainable Health Systems, the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate Change and Health (ATACH), has been established. It will provide a platform for coordination; knowledge and best practice exchange; networks and access to support and link up to existing initiatives; tackling common challenges; and monitoring global progress. WHO will secretariat the Alliance, and the UK and Egypt will co-convene in the first two years as it agrees an ambitious agenda.
Four initial thematic working groups, are proposed to address common issues:
- Financing for commitments on climate resilient and sustainable low carbon health systems
- Climate resilient health systems
- Low-carbon sustainable health systems
- Greening supply chains and procurement.
The inaugural meeting to introduce ATACH will be held online on 27 June from 1-4pm (CEST).
Programme
Opening remarks: Tackling climate and health by WHO Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; FCDO Minister for Asia and the Middle East, Amanda Milling; and Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Minister of Scientific Research and Acting Minister for Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar
Vision for ATACH: Maintaining momentum and supporting delivery of COP26 Health Programme by Nick Dyer, Director General Humanitarian and Development UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
The WHO offer by Maria Neira, WHO Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health
Delivering COP26 Commitments: Thematic priorities by Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, WHO Head of Climate Change and Health Unit
Thematic panel discussions - Building meaningful partnerships and showcasing progress:
- Low-carbon sustainable Health Systems
- Climate Resilient Health Systems
- Accessing Finance for Climate and health objectives
- Greening supply chains
By representatives from various public institutions and organisations.
Discussion: Key take-aways and reflections by Chris Carter, Head of Human Development Department, FCDO
Conclusion and next steps by Maria Neira, WHO Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health