Wednesday, 20 November, was urbanization and transportation day at the UN Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29). The day recognizes towns, cities and urban areas as key places to take serious climate action and reduce global emissions. A highlight of the thematic day was the launch of the COP29 Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) declaration for Resilient and Healthy Cities, which the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for cities and countries to sign.
Over 55% of the global population live in urban areas, and by 2050 this is projected to increase to almost 70%. Currently, cities are responsible for over 70% of global carbon emissions from energy use, making cities key to addressing climate change. Reimagining the way cities and towns are built would reduce emissions, improve air quality, and improve physical and mental health in cities and beyond.
“Health doesn’t starts at hospitals – green spaces, access to better public transport and resilient urban design can save lives,” said Dr Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at WHO. “Clean air, exercise and access to nature can greatly improve physical and mental health. We must take climate action where we live – cities and urban regions – to prevent disease, save lives and mitigate climate change globally.”
The COP29 Ministerial Declaration, endorsing a MAP on climate resilient and healthy cities, was signed by mayors from all over the world, acknowledging the need for urban planning and transport policies that promote clean air and the protection of nature. The declaration also acknowledges that implementation of climate mitigation interventions in various sectors, including housing, transportation and energy, result in many co-benefits that lead to substantial health gains, reduced health risks and cost savings, such as through the reduction of air pollution and more.
WHO is calling for evidence-based, coordinated multi-sectoral solutions in cities. Urban regions should be designed with health in mind, which is a focus of the upcoming Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health. Healthier cities that protect and restore biodiversity, reduce reliance on cars, and promote human powered transport have multiple health co-benefits. For example, climate mitigation and adaptation actions in cities will reduce air pollution, currently linked to 7 million deaths every year. Healthier, sustainable cities can prevent communicable and noncommunicable disease, save lives, protect child health and limit climate change around the world.