Climate change and human health

Health commitments for the SG Climate Action Summit

Climate change is the defining issue of our time and now is the defining moment to do something about it. There is still time to tackle climate change, but it will require an unprecedented effort from all sectors of society.

To boost ambition and accelerate actions to implement the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, UN Secretary-General António Guterres will host the 2019 Climate Action Summit on 23 September to meet the climate challenge.

The Summit will showcase a leap in collective national political ambition and it will demonstrate massive movements in the real economy in support of the agenda.

WHO is working with Spain, Peru and the Secretary General’s team to secure strong commitments in addressing air pollution and climate change together, and to invest in proven interventions for climate-resilient health systems, and in air quality monitoring and policy implementation.

WHO is inviting various key stakeholders (in particular Member States) to commit to ambitious action on climate change and health:

- As a national or subnational government, you can commit to achieving air quality that is safe for your citizens, and to align your climate change and air pollution policies, by 2030.

- As a multilateral development bank, climate fund, bilateral development agency, philanthropic organization, or private sector actor, you can commit to significantly scale up your investment in proven interventions for climate-resilient health systems, and in air quality monitoring and policy implementation.

You can find more information on how you can develop these commitments on this website, as well as the resources and support that are available for you to act on health.

Commit to ambitious climate action

Commit to save lives, cut carbon emissions and clean air

Forrest

At the UN Secretary-General’s 2019 Climate Summit, the SPD coalition will commit to a healthier and safer future for all by committing to (1) save lives, cut carbon emissions, clean our air; and (2) invest in climate action, public health and sustainable development.
As a national or subnational government, you can commit to achieving air quality that is safe for your citizens, and to align your climate change and air pollution policies, by 2030.

Commit to invest in climate action, public health and sustainable development

At the UN Secretary-General’s 2019 Climate Summit, the SPD coalition will commit to a healthier and safer future for all by committing to (1) save lives, cut carbon emissions, clean our air; and (2) invest in climate action, public health and sustainable development.
As a multilateral development bank, climate fund, bilateral development agency, philanthropic organization, or private sector actor, you can commit to significantly scale up your investment in proven interventions for climate-resilient health systems, and in air quality monitoring and policy implementation.

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Commitments

Commitments

  • All commitments will be made publicly available on the WHO website, their progress will be tracked using several indicators, and they will be communicated to the UN Secretary-General’s office.

Resources

  • WHO has many resources to support stakeholders in committing to address climate change and health issues. We provide resources for planners, policy makers, and those working at the policy/practice interface with a range of publications and initiatives.


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What is good for the climate is good for our health

The health report to UNFCCC COP24 provides recommendations for governments on how to maximize the health benefits of tackling climate change and avoid the worst health impacts.

Science-based decision making

The 1.5 health report serves as a guiding document for policymakers worldwide who seek to design and implement science-based policy measures to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen and implement the global response to climate change, as well as advance sustainable development, poverty eradication and the reduction of inequalities.

Contact us

Maria Maiero
Technical Officer, WHO
Email: maierom@who.int
Phone: +41 79 213 43 04