As world leaders gather in Dubai for COP28, health has finally landed firmly on the climate change agenda with the celebration of the first “Health Day” on December 3 at the annual UN Climate Summit.
It has never been more important to include health in the climate change debate. Extreme weather threatens human health in many ways, and this intersection will only get worse as extreme weather events become more likely with climate change.
Two of us (Kathryn and Arthur) attended the health day. It represents a pivotal moment for climate and health on a global scale, but there is still much work to be done.
How climate change affects our health
The Lancet recently published its latest report on the health impacts of climate change, and the news is not good.
The report reiterates that significant deaths and injuries are already occurring worldwide due to climate change. For example, heat-related deaths among people over 65 years of age increased by 85% during 2013-2022 compared to 1991-2000.
The effects of climate change on health are very diverse. In addition to the damage caused by extreme heat, disasters such as droughts, floods, and wildfires can lead to the spread of infectious diseases, exposure to wildfire smoke, food insecurity, and more.
Events like these also increase mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Minorities and at-risk groups suffer the worst health impacts, reinforcing existing social and health inequalities.
A crucial moment
This year saw promising progress in addressing the health impacts of climate change. In May, the World Health Assembly focused on health and climate change for the first time, including a panel discussion on the role of the health community in climate action and the need for dedicated financing mechanisms.
In August, G20 health ministers made climate and health a priority and agreed on initial high-level principles for health and climate protection. This includes creating sustainable, low-carbon healthcare systems that deliver high-quality healthcare and decarbonizing healthcare supply chains.
This first Health Day at the COP now aims to make the health impacts of climate change more visible and mobilize resources for effective action so that countries can prepare and respond.
Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund, speaks at COP28. The COP brings together key decision-makers to discuss climate change. Rafiq Maqbool/AP/AAP
The event focused on key topics such as the pathways through which climate impacts health, the health benefits of reducing emissions, and the needs, barriers and best practices for strengthening climate-resilient health systems.
The day concluded with a ministerial round table, where many of the 50 health ministers present had two minutes to talk about why and how they are approaching health and climate change.
The representative of Vanuatu, for example, noted that the country faces an uncertain future due to climate change and stressed his hope that this Health Day will enable further support for countries at highest risk.
Japan noted the importance of strengthening universal health coverage as an important way to respond to the health impacts of climate change.
An explanation
It is worth noting that at this COP, more than 120 countries signed the UAE COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health. The declaration focuses on rallying support, driving action and mobilizing resources to improve the resilience of health systems.
In addition, the UAE announced a $1 billion “overall financing commitment” to strengthen the adoption of health-focused climate activities. This is made possible by organizations such as the Green Climate Fund, the Asian Development Bank and the Rockefeller Foundation.
However, few details are available as to whether this money will be provided in addition to ongoing commitments, will be considered a loan or grant, or will be diverted from other health priorities.
Protect our planet, our people and our future
As WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said yesterday, this issue is overdue for attention at COP28, after COP27 concluded without a serious debate on health.
Without a doubt, health is the most compelling reason to take action against climate change […]. For too long, health has been a side note in the climate debate.
While Health Day and other recent developments are encouraging, there is still much work to be done to meaningfully protect the health of communities around the world.
In particular, rapidly phasing out fossil fuels is crucial to mitigating the health impacts of climate change. And the above-mentioned global statement does not lay out a plan in this regard, nor does it address the urgency of phasing out fossil fuels.
The healthcare sector can and should contribute to these efforts, as it is responsible for 4.4% of global carbon emissions.
The health benefits of climate action far outweigh the costs. Without ambitious cross-sectoral action that addresses health issues, people’s health and well-being will continue to suffer. This is the first Health Day at the COP, but it should not be the last.