COP29 underscores the importance of integrating health within climate action, reflecting the conference's commitment to a sector increasingly impacted by climate change.

This focus follows COP28 in Dubai, UAE, which marked a milestone by dedicating a “Health Day” on its agenda. This unprecedented step opened a gateway for climate action to encompass the health sector, raising awareness about how significantly climate change affects healthcare systems due to human-induced environmental shifts. It also fostered the introduction of initiatives and solutions aimed at enhancing the sector’s resilience to climate impacts, culminating in the “UAE Declaration on Climate and Health for COP28,” signed by over 150 countries under the UNFCCC.

At COP29
In Baku, Azerbaijan, COP29 (November 11-22, 2024) continues to incorporate health into the climate dialogue, setting November 18 as the “Health Day,” a call to invest in health-related climate action. This presents a valuable opportunity for health activists and professionals to host events and sessions specifically focused on health and climate, raising awareness about this critical intersection. Key initiatives and activities aligned with COP29’s commitment to health, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), include:

1. Health Pavilion
   The WHO and Wellcome Trust will host a Health Pavilion at COP29. On the designated Health Day, the WHO will release its “COP29 Special Report,” emphasizing the health benefits of climate initiatives and how climate action contributes to overall well-being.

2. Health Across Themes
   The WHO’s sessions will integrate health within various climate action themes, emphasizing climate justice through essential health support for vulnerable populations and encouraging stakeholders to back this sector. These discussions will span intersections with other sectors, such as food, agriculture, and urban planning, with a particular focus on maternal and child health.

3. Health-Environment-Animal Nexus
   Baku will launch the Human Development for Climate Adaptation Initiative on Health Day, reinforcing the “One Health” approach that links human, animal, and environmental health—essential for embedding healthcare within climate policy.

The deep connection between health and climate action is clear. Rising temperatures contribute to the spread of diseases and worsen conditions for patients with preexisting ailments, particularly cardiovascular diseases, necessitating the health sector’s inclusion in climate agendas. First spotlighted at COP28, this relationship continues to gain traction at COP29, promoting health-climate awareness for a healthier future for people and their surrounding ecosystems. The conference will prioritize developing suitable plans to strengthen the health sector’s climate resilience and secure necessary funding for effective implementation.