Climate change poses an urgent and accelerating threat, outpacing predictions and placing immense strain on global communities. Developing nations, with fragile health infrastructures, face significant challenges in responding to climate-related health crises without external aid.
Amidst these challenges, the intersection of climate and health offers a potential for substantial gains. COP28, marked by the inaugural Health Day and climate-health ministerial, underscores the need to integrate health concerns into the global climate change agenda. The COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health signifies a global commitment to address climate-related health impacts, emphasizing the imperative for governments to fortify healthcare systems.
A noteworthy initiative involves the collaboration of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Health Organization (WHO) to support 14 countries in Africa, Asia, and Southeastern Europe in mitigating and responding to climate change impacts on health. Additionally, the Tropical Belt Initiative, unveiled by the President of Sri Lanka at COP28, aims to address global warming challenges within the tropical belt, encompassing 134 countries and territories.
Climate change is happening faster than expected posing the single biggest threat to humans and communities. Escalating humanitarian emergencies, marked by the intensification of heatwaves, wildfires, floods, tropical storms, and hurricanes will put more pressure on health systems and service delivery.
The consequences of climate change extend beyond the immediate health impacts, permeating into economic aspects. Estimated direct damage costs to health, excluding agriculture, water, and sanitation sectors, are projected to range between US$ 2–4 billion per year by 2030. Particularly alarming is the situation in regions with fragile health infrastructure, predominantly found in developing nations. These regions are poised to face significant challenges in preparing for and responding to the evolving climate-related health crises without external assistance.
Amidst the challenges, a glimmer of hope lies in the potential for substantial health gains through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. By making informed choices in transport, food consumption, and energy usage, it is possible to mitigate air pollution and its adverse health effects.
The Conference of the Parties (COP28) convened from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) elevated the political discourse surrounding the intersection of climate and health, thereby integrating health concerns into the global climate change agenda.
In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other key partners, COP28 took a significant step by organizing the inaugural Health Day and climate-health ministerial. On the first-ever Health Day at a COP, more than 40 million health professionals from around the globe joined the call to action by the WHO and civil society organizations, to prioritize health in climate negotiations and called on governments to meet the commitments they have already made, (1) deliver on the Paris Agreement and accelerate the phasing out of fossil fuels, (2) build climate-resilient, low-carbon health systems and (3) deliver on promises of US$ 100 billion a year in climate finance. In addition, the Health Day emphasized the pressing need to address climate change, air quality, and biodiversity loss to mitigate the growing health risks associated with these challenges.
The COP28 Presidency, WHO, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, and a group of champion countries also hosted the first-ever climate-health ministerial at the UN climate conference. Ministers of health, environment, finance and other related sectors set out a roadmap and opportunities for action to address the rapidly growing burden of climate change on healthcare systems and capture the vast socio-economic benefits from better health and well-being through climate action.
The COP28 Health Pavilion, hosted for the third consecutive year by WHO and Welcome Trust, served as a platform bringing together diverse stakeholders. A wide range of events was organized to champion the health perspective in climate action, reinforce international cooperation, encourage increased funding for health and bring attention to the most vulnerable populations. The programme of the Health Pavilion included almost 40 events, including on accelerating electricity access, building climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems, fostering the health co-benefits of mitigation measures, climate change and malaria, and climate-resilient food systems.
WHO, UNICEF and Selco Foundation also officially opened Energy for Health installation during the COP28. The installation showed how decentralized renewable energy solutions can increase the electrification of health care facilities, enable the provision of essential quality health services and build climate-resilient health care systems.
A landmark development at COP28 was the announcement of the 'COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health.' Unveiled on the eve of the Health Day at a COP, this declaration signified a global commitment to proactively address climate-related health impacts. 123 countries endorsed the declaration and committed to improving the ability of health systems to anticipate and implement adaptation interventions against climate-sensitive diseases and health risks, promoting steps to curb carbon emissions and reduce waste in the health sectors, and facilitating collaboration on human, animal, environment and climate health challenges, such as by implementing One Health approach.
At the COP28, several financial commitments were made to address the climate change health crisis. These include launching of a new Climate and Health Initiative by ADB (an initial allocation of USD $7 million), USD $57.95 million towards climate and health by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, £100 million by Wellcome Trust, USD $100 million commitment by the Rockefeller Foundation, £18 million by the UK government among others.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) announced the launch of a USD$1.5 million Project Preparation Facility (PPF) grant, with matching funding of USD$1.55 million from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and WHO. The PPF grant will support preparation of a USD $122 million climate and health global programme with the aim to develop and operationalize a multi-partner Climate and Health Co-Investment Facility. GCF, UNDP and WHO initiative will support developing countries to mitigate and respond to the impacts of climate change on health in 14 countries in Africa, Asia and Southeastern Europe. The announcement was made at the World Climate Action Summit’s Leaders’ Event on Health at COP28.
Addressing COP 28, Dr. Tedros, Director-General of WHO, expressed gratitude for the prominence given to health, on par with the attention given to climate and its changes. He made three specific calls in his speech: (1) a climate-friendly world (calling on leaders from government and industry to work together to phase out fossil fuels, and accelerate the transition to clean energy); (2) climate-friendly health systems (decarbonizing health systems and strengthening health systems to be more climate-resilient); and 3) financing (funds for protecting and promoting the health of the planet, and the health of people).
Mr Ranil Wickramasinghe, President of Sri Lanka, participating in COP28, unveiled the 'Tropical Belt Initiative.' This visionary plan aims to address the challenges of global warming and secure sustainable development for nations within the tropical belt. The Tropical Belt encompasses 134 countries and territories, covering approximately 40% of the planet’s surface area and housing around 40% of the world’s population.
The Tropical Belt plays a crucial role in shielding the globe from potential weather instabilities in its current state, however, anthropogenic activities within it may disrupt its thermal equilibrium, resulting in adverse impacts that affect the environment in temperate countries. Protecting and ensuring the health of natural ecosystems are essential for conserving biodiversity, providing clean air and water, safeguarding food security, and sustaining livelihoods.
The World Health Organization's Health and the Environment program has the mandate to support Member States in improving health outcomes linked to environmental risks.
Air pollution is one of the greatest environmental challenges to human health and there is growing evidence of the negative health impacts of air pollution exposure. WHO’s Air Quality Monitoring Guidelines (2021) require countries to establish air pollution monitoring systems and enhance public access to air quality data. To address the rising need for enhanced air quality monitoring, WHO Sri Lanka is supporting Sri Lanka on ambient air quality monitoring. Three such devices have been provided to the Ministry of Environment on World Health Day, 2022 which were installed in three cities: Jaffna, Anuradhapura and Kurunegala. The stations provide real-time automated monitoring of key air pollutants including fine particulate matter and other gases. The air quality stations continuously monitor and display real-time data on the current air quality.
WHO Sri Lanka aims to support the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environment further through regional technical networks of experts and partners. This includes intercountry sharing of good practices, research, policies, and actions on environmental and occupational hazards to health, along with strengthening environmental surveillance and information systems.