As the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) begins, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for an end to fossil fuel dependency and for climate adaptation and resilience strategies that prioritize human wellbeing in response to the planet’s increasing extreme weather conditions.

In its release of the special COP29 report on climate and health and technical guidance on Nationally Determined Health Contributions, the WHO urged world leaders participating in COP29 to abandon a siloed approach to addressing climate change and health. The organization emphasized the importance of centering health in all climate negotiations, strategies, policies, and action plans to save lives and secure a healthier future for current and future generations.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated, “The climate crisis is a health crisis, making it not only a moral and legal imperative but also a strategic opportunity to prioritize health and wellbeing in climate action. This can unlock transformative health benefits for a fairer and more equitable future.”

He added, “COP29 is a crucial opportunity for world leaders to integrate health considerations into climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. WHO supports this work through practical guidelines and support for countries.”

The WHO, in collaboration with over 100 organizations and 300 experts, developed the special report on climate change and health, outlining critical policies across three interconnected dimensions: people, places, and the planet.

The report identifies key actions aimed at protecting all individuals, especially the estimated 3.6 billion people living in regions most vulnerable to climate change. The report highlights the importance of governance that integrates health into climate policy-making and vice versa, noting that this is essential for progress. Key recommendations from the report include:

• Making human health and wellbeing the primary metric of climate action success to drive progress and ensure people-centered adaptation and resilience.
• Ending fossil fuel subsidies and reliance by restructuring economic and financial systems to protect human and environmental health through investments in clean, sustainable alternatives that reduce pollution-related illnesses and carbon emissions.
• Mobilizing funds for climate-health initiatives, especially to strengthen responsive health systems, support health workforces, and establish resilient, climate-adaptive health systems to protect health and save lives.
• Investing in proven solutions, including deploying heat health warning systems, clean household energy, and effective fossil fuel pricing, which could save nearly 2 million lives annually and yield $4 in benefits for every $1 invested.
• Increasing focus on the role of cities in health outcomes by promoting more sustainable urban design, clean energy, resilient housing, and improved sanitation.
• Enhancing protection and restoration of nature and biodiversity, acknowledging the synergistic health benefits of clean air, water, and food security.

Dr. Maria Neira, Director of Environment, Climate Change, and Health at WHO, stated, “Health is the lived experience of climate change, and by prioritizing health in every aspect of climate action, we can unlock major benefits for public health, climate resilience, security, and economic stability.”

She added, “Health is the motivation we need to drive urgent and widespread action at this critical moment.”