In anticipation of the forthcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP-28), the World Health Organization (WHO) has released its “2023 review of health in nationally determined contributions and long-term strategies.”
This report underscores the critical steps required to prioritise human health and seamlessly integrate it into national agendas aimed at combatting climate change.
The document emphasises the present effects of climate change on human health and overall well-being.
From illnesses stemming from extreme weather conditions to the proliferation of vector-borne diseases and the surge in cardiovascular and respiratory ailments triggered by extreme heat and air pollution, respectively, the effects of climate change on human health are undeniable.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, explained: “The health of humans and our planet are inextricably linked, and after years of promises, rapid action is urgently needed to protect both.
“Only climate policies driven by health outcomes will result in the action needed to save lives, prevent disease, and build healthier, fairer societies”.
What measures does the review recommend?
A key focus has been on mainstreaming health considerations into national climate strategies. The review indicates significant headway in integrating health into nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and long-term low emissions and development strategies (LT-LEDS), as stipulated in the Paris Agreement.
While 91% of the available NDCs now include health considerations compared to 70% in 2019, the report stresses the necessity for escalated, accelerated, and adequately funded commitments to ensure an equitable response safeguarding both present and future generations’ health and livelihoods.
Addressing the effects of climate change on human health
Despite progress, critical gaps persist, notably in addressing air pollution. Only 16% of NDCs encompass dedicated targets, measures, or policies to mitigate air pollution despite its severe impact on health.
Air pollution accounts for approximately seven million premature deaths annually, significantly affecting individuals in low- and middle-income countries, especially children.
The report underscores the interlinked benefits of climate action and improved public health. For instance, strategies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting active transportation, and endorsing healthy diets can simultaneously enhance health while mitigating climate impacts.
However, health-specific climate action remains underfunded. The report highlights the chronic underfunding of health in national climate plans. This scarcity of resources poses a challenge, particularly for vulnerable countries grappling with the repercussions of the climate crisis.
WHO urges for more substantial multilateral financing mechanisms to allocate funds specifically towards health-centric policies and initiatives within the realm of climate change.
Looking ahead, WHO is actively engaged in supporting countries to bolster health systems’ resilience to the effects of climate change, curtail carbon emissions within healthcare, and monitor global progress.
As part of these efforts, WHO is collaborating with the COP28 Presidency to spearhead the first-ever dedicated health day at COP on December 3, 2023. This initiative underscores the imperative to expedite health-focused climate action across all levels.
The WHO’s report stresses the urgency for immediate, health-centric action to combat the effects of climate change and calls for intensified global efforts to protect both human health and the planet’s well-being.
