Latest news with #GlobalClimateandHealthAlliance
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10 hours ago
- Health
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As Latin America's Health Pays Price Of Climate Crisis, Wealthy Countries Must Deliver Climate Justice
Brasilia, 29 July 2025:- As the 2025 Global Conference on Climate and Health opens, more than 50 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) health organisations today called on governments to stop fueling the climate crisis, and or wealthy countries take the lead on cutting climate warming emissions, provide comprehensive and fair finance to prevent and repair health damages and deepening inequalities in the LAC region, and to end exploitive resource extraction in the region. The conference, co-hosted by the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization and the government of Brazil, is an official event in the lead up to the COP30 UN climate negotiations, which Brazil will host in November. In their Common Position of Latin America and the Caribbean on Climate Change and Health, which will be launched at the conference on July 31, the 50 signatory health organisations note the relevance of the COP30 Presidency's Belem Health Action Plan, which focuses on adapting health systems to be resilient in the face of climate impacts. They add, however, that 'it is crucial that the plan situate adaptation within the broader context of climate action, recognizing the limits of adaptation and the circumstances of health systems, especially in developing countries, where the lack of effective mitigation will quickly lead to the exhaustion of response capacity, severely impacting public health in Latin America and the Caribbean.' Calling climate change not just an environmental issue, 'but also…a major ethical and political challenge' - the Common Position makes clear that action is needed across sectors, and that action to address the drivers of climate change, including through a just transition to clean energy, and restoration of ecosystems, will bring positive benefits to people's health. The Common Position was spearheaded by the Latin America and Caribbean Network on Climate and Health, which is convened by the Global Climate and Health Alliance. 'As he prepares to lead the COP30 negotiations in November, COP30 President Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago must emphasize to participating governments that while making health systems more resilient is essential, protecting health goes far beyond just adapting our health systems', said Jeni Miller, Executive Director of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, which brings together over 200 health professionals and health civil society organisations and networks to address climate change. 'Health must be addressed as a cross-cutting priority - through emission reductions, just transitions in key sectors, reforming harmful development models, and strategic finance. Brazil must ensure that across all pillars of climate action, COP30 delivers ambitious commitments that protect people's health.' "At COP30, to prevent human suffering, and avoid overwhelming our health systems, , governments around the world must act across sectors such as agriculture, water and sanitation, housing, transport, and energy, and must address the primary driver of climate change by phasing out fossil fuels - doing so fairly and in ways that do not create new health harms', said Miller. 'As the impacts of climate change accelerate across Latin America and the Caribbean, the health of millions of people is already being compromised, health systems are coming under unprecedented strain, and economies face severe risk', said Milena Sergeeva, Liaison Officer for Latin America for the Global Climate and Health Alliance,. 'A 2024 dengue outbreak in the Americas affected 12.6 million people. Two-thirds of health facilities in the region are in high climate-risk zones. In the Caribbean, over 250% of a country's GDP can be wiped out in one day by a severe hurricane. As these impacts result from a climate crisis overwhelmingly created by high income developed countries, wealthy countries must provide support to countries in the LAC region, in the form of financing, open access to data, and technology transfer, so that LAC countries have the means to respond.' The fifty organisations from across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) that have developed the Common Position joined forces in the spirit of a mutirão (collective effort) - to bring forward their diverse perspectives into a joint call to action. The Common Position will be launched on July 31 at the climate and health conference, in Idea Labs session 3, from 14:30-15:00. 'Increasing climate ambition in Latin America and the Caribbean can be a great opportunity to reduce inequalities that have existed for more than 500 years in the region, which are structural determinants of health', said Francisco Chesini from the Iberomerican Society for Environmental Health, one of the Common Position signatory organizations. 'At a critical moment of global climate crisis, Latin America and the Caribbean are speaking out, identifying threats to health, their highly diverse environmental conditions, and notorious social inequalities, and presenting proposals to address them', said Christovam Barcellos, Head Researcher at the Laboratory of Health Information, Institute of Scientific and Technological Communication and Information in Health, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Ministry of Health - Brasil. "As young health advocates in Latin America and the Caribbean, we are witnessing how climate change is deepening historical health inequities', said Marcelo Manturano, Regional Director for the Americas at the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations, a signatory organization. 'From our position at IFMSA, we are committed to intergenerational, inclusive, and justice-based action, because a healthy planet is not only a right, but a condition for the health and dignity of our peoples." "Air pollution and climate change are an atmospheric combination that is undermining our life on the planet. Inaction is no longer an option. Science-based collaboration will make the difference." said Selene Martínez Guajardo, Executive Director of the Citizen Observatory of Air Quality of the Monterrey Metropolitan Area (OCCAMM), a signatory organization. "The Chilean Society of Preventive Medicine and Nutrition (SOCHIMENUP) is committed to maintaining and strengthening collaboration with its South American peers', said Dr. Francisca Soto-Aguilar Bralic, President of the Chilean Society of Preventive Medicine and Nutrition (SOCHIMENUP), a signatory organization. 'Our motivation is clear, and our vision is shared: to use scientific knowledge in health and nutrition as a fundamental tool for building a more resilient and healthy future in the face of the challenges of climate change." 'We believe that protecting the climate means protecting the health of all people, which is why we are committed to promoting comprehensive, evidence-based actions to address the impacts of climate change on the health of Ecuadorians and ensure a more just, healthy, and resilient future', said Dr. Francisco Rosero, Coordinator of the International Relations Commission and General Coordinator of Commissions, at the Ecuadorian Society of Public Health, a signatory organization. In addition to providing recommendations for governments in the region, the health organisations also call on the international community to: Ensure that transitions to a fossil-fuel-free economy are fair and healthy, protecting health and human rights in the face of the growing global demand for critical minerals and agricultural products affecting the region. Place adaptation in the broader context of climate action in the Belém Health Action Plan. Increase international support to strengthen regional capacities in health and climate change, facilitating the transfer of technologies, financial resources, and open data for the generation of scientific evidence and institutional strengthening in the region. Implement strict international measures to limit the undue influence of polluting industries in international climate negotiations. Ensure that climate finance mechanisms prioritize projects that protect health.
Scoop
23-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Climate Crisis Is A Health Crisis - International Court Of Justice Ruling Reaction From Health Community
The Hague, 23 July 2025 Responding to today's much-anticipated Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Dr Jeni Miller, Executive Director at the Global Climate and Health Alliance said: 'The International Court of Justice has delivered a historic affirmation: the climate crisis is a health crisis—and failure to act is a failure to protect life. The Court made clear that fossil fuels are the root cause of this crisis, and that a state's failure to curb emissions—including through fossil fuel production, subsidies, or exploration—may constitute an internationally wrongful act. This ruling confirms that governments and corporations have a legal duty to prevent further harm, uphold the right to health, and safeguard future generations. From deadly heat and toxic air to disease and displacement, the Court's message is clear—human health is not collateral damage. Health workers and advocates now have powerful legal backing to demand bold, science-based climate action rooted in justice including a just transition away from fossil fuels, for health and the duty to protect life across all ages and borders.' About GCHA The Global Climate and Health Alliance is a consortium of more than 200 health professionals and health civil society organisations and networks from around the world addressing climate change. We are united by a shared vision of an equitable, sustainable future, in which the health impacts of climate change are minimised, and the health co-benefits of climate change mitigation are maximised.
Scoop
28-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Health Community Welcomes Bonn Deal To Monitor Climate Finance But Criticises Rich Countries' Efforts To Shirk Duties
Bonn, 27 June 2025:- As the UN's SB62 Climate Change Conference closed just after midnight, the Global Climate and Health Alliance welcomed a breakthrough agreement between governments to pursue monitoring of urgently needed finance for adaptation as part of tracking progress towards a Global Goal on Adaptation, but condemned attempts by rich countries to avoid discussion on their climate finance responsibilities. 'With people's lives on the line, grants-based public finance must urgently be delivered to adequately protect the health and wellbeing of people most vulnerable to climate impacts - as aligned with their Paris Agreement responsibilities', said Jess Beagley, Policy Lead at the Global Climate and Health Alliance, which brings together over 200 health professionals and health civil society organisations and networks to address climate change. 'After ten hours of fighting over tracking adaptation finance today, the talks ended up in a better place than anyone had hoped'. 'Here in Bonn, rich countries sought to avoid engaging in discussions relating to provision of finance to developing countries impacted by climate change in line with their responsibilities under the Paris Agreement. This presents a serious barrier to progress in implementation, but also risks undermining trust in multilateralism.' 'However, agreement to monitor finance and other means of implementation for adaptation is a decisive step forward, and developed countries must now deliver on their commitments to ensure actions can be implemented to protect human health in the face of growing climate hazards to protect a healthy climate future', said Beagley. The Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) is aimed at increasing global adaptation efforts, while enhancing support for the countries most vulnerable to climate change impacts. Climate Finance During the Bonn meeting, a group of rich countries blocked the addition of an agenda item focussed on provision of finance by developed countries to developing countries. This delayed adoption of the meeting agenda until the second day, wasting valuable time. Consultations on a roadmap due at COP30 to scale climate finance to the USD 1.3 trillion requested by developing countries last year l heavily featured private finance rather than public finance. 'Without sufficient grants-based public finance, developing countries will become further trapped in cycles of debt, poverty and disease', said Beagley. 'Over the coming months, rich governments can redeem themselves by demonstrating willingness to prioritise public grants from developed to developing countries. Developed countries must provide funding to prevent worsening climate change by addressing its causes; funding for countries to build resilience against the climate impacts they are already facing; and funding to recover and rebuild from destruction that they were unable to avoid.' 'The governments of developed countries have a moral responsibility to ensure the countries that have contributed the least to climate change but are facing its harshest impacts receive crucial international support', said Jeni Miller, Executive Director of the Global Climate and Health Alliance. 'From flooding that destroys homes and clinics and spreads cholera, to heatwaves that overwhelm hospitals with patients, to droughts and weather instability that ruin harvests, to wildfires spreading toxic smoke to communities thousands of miles away, in every country people are suffering from the impacts of climate change; low income developing countries are the most severely harmed and the least able to respond to and recover from the damages from this problem that they did not cause.' 'Fossil fuels are at the root of climate change, as well as of air pollution and plastic contamination, as well as polluting our water and soil pollution. November's COP30 must take a great leap towards ending the fossil fuel age and its devastating impact on human health', said Miller. Fossil Fuel Phase Out 'Dependence on fossil fuels is the primary driver of health impacts from climate change, which is already straining healthcare systems around the world', said Beagley. 'Fossil fuel use is also a key air pollution culprit, causing millions of deaths annually from respiratory and cardiovascular disease, as well as developmental and cognitive issues.' 'Ahead of COP30, governments must agree to pursue and support just transition pathways across countries and sectors, including to improve clean and safe renewable energy access and clean cooking, in order to protect the human right to health - especially for women and children most exposed to indoor air pollution'. Ending Fossil Fuel Industry Influence The SB62 Bonn meeting featured no developments on addressing fossil fuel industry interference in climate negotiations, and UNFCCC has not advanced any plans to deal with this interference - despite written calls from civil society, a demonstration, press briefing and event during SB62.
Scoop
17-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Health Community Demands Ambition On Ending Fossil Fuel Dependence And Robust Investment In Protecting Communities
Bonn, 16 May 2025:- As the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) SB62 UN Climate Change Conference opens today in Germany - and ahead of this year's COP30 Climate Summit, in Belem, Brazil - the Global Climate and Health Alliance demands that governments ensure the 'just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels', called for by countries at 2023's COP28, is translated into concrete, measurable, and accountable action. 'Over the next two weeks, governments must protect people's health by laying the groundwork for a just transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner renewable energy sources - this must be matched by adaptation that promotes health, and underpinned by adequate finance that will effectively confront the climate crisis already driving devastating health impacts around the world', said Jess Beagley, Policy Lead at the Global Climate and Health Alliance, which brings together over 200 health professionals and health civil society organisations and networks to address climate change. 'Dependence on fossil fuels is the primary driver of health impacts from climate change, which is already straining healthcare systems around the world', said Beagley. 'Fossil fuel use is also a key air pollution culprit, causing millions of deaths annually from respiratory and cardiovascular disease, as well as developmental and cognitive issues.' 'Developed countries must provide enough finance to developing countries, so that they can adapt and respond to these climate impacts, and transition to development pathways compatible with a healthy climate future', said Beagley. 'At COP29 rich countries could have committed financing that would support the Global South - yet they failed to deliver'. 'Over the coming fortnight, governments can redeem themselves by delivering positive signals on the Baku to Belem Roadmap on climate finance, and in demonstrating willingness to prioritise public grants from developed to developing countries', continued Beagley. 'Developed countries must provide funding to prevent worsening climate change by addressing its causes; funding for countries to build resilience against the climate impacts they are already facing; and funding to recover and rebuild from destruction that they were unable to avoid.' 'In Bonn, countries must also make good on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) by supporting technical experts, enabling them to continue coordinating and refining their work', said Beagley. 'Down the line, delegations must ensure GGA indicators adopted at COP30 include means of implementation - namely finance, technology transfer, and capacity building – in order to ensure that countries actually have the capacity and resources to take the steps they must to protect their people'. 'Meanwhile, countries yet to submit their NDCs [Nationally Determined Contributions - see notes below] must address these same priorities of mitigation, adaptation and finance at national level, including setting targets for reducing their emissions that are sufficiently ambitious to align with their fair shares towards the goals of the Paris Agreement', said Beagley. 'In their new NDCs, governments must commit to optimising health and building resilience, which will only be possible when supported by adequate domestic budget and international finance commitments, and they must commit to monitoring how those commitments are being implemented", said Beagley. 'Governments must also ensure that countries that have contributed the least to climate change but are facing its harshest impacts, must receive crucial international support', said Jeni Miller, Executive Director of the Global Climate and Health Alliance. 'From flooding that destroys homes and clinics and spreads cholera, to heatwaves that overwhelm hospitals with patients, to droughts and weather instability that ruin harvests, to wildfires spreading toxic smoke to communities thousands of miles away, in every country people are suffering from the impacts of climate change; low income developing countries are the most severely harmed and the least able to respond to and recover from the damages from this problem that they did not cause.' 'Fossil fuels are at the root of climate change, as well as of air pollution and plastic contamination, as well as polluting our water and soil pollution. Collaboration amongst governments in Bonn must ensure that November's COP30 takes a great leap towards ending the fossil fuel age and its devastating impact on human health', said Miller. Ending Fossil Fuel Industry Influence 'A major impediment to action on climate change is the well-documented and deliberate efforts of certain industries to block progress', said Miller. 'For years, the fossil fuel industry has deliberately sown doubt and interfered with policy deliberations, has sent hundreds of lobbyists to COPs every year since the Paris Agreement was signed. Big agriculture is also very well organized, and increasingly attempting to slow COP action on agricultural practices that contribute to climate change. Without putting a halt to the influence of industries that have a vested interest in delaying progress on climate change, our chances are hampered from the get-go.' 'A clamour is now developing ahead of COP30 about how UNFCCC should counter the increasing representation at climate summits from high emitting industries like fossil fuels and big agriculture', added Miller. 'Two years ago, the UNFCCC Secretariat introduced new regulations forcing delegates to disclose their affiliations, but to date, there are no restrictions on participation - as a result, polluting industries driving climate change are everywhere at COP climate summits. The UNFCCC must urgently put in place stronger measures to limit the influence of industry and conflicts of interest - and to achieve this, it can learn from how other UN bodies, such as the World Health Organization, have responded to industry pressures from tobacco and alcohol companies.' Brazil's COP30 Presidency has voiced concerns over fossil fuel interference, plans to lead a 'Global Ethical Stocktake' of COP processes, and has launched four 'Support Circles', including one focused on climate governance.
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
World Health Assembly: Health Community Hails Adoption Of Climate & Health Action Plan, But Slams Fossil Fuel Omissions
Geneva, 27 May 2025 The Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA) today welcomed the adoption by the World Health Organization's 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) of the Global Action Plan (GAP), which will take forward last year's Resolution on Climate Change and Health, while criticising the removal of mention of fossil fuel subsidies from the text. 'We welcome the adoption of the Global Action Plan as a crucial tool for protecting human life from the impacts of climate change', said Rosie Tasker, Clean Air Liaison at the Global Climate and Health Alliance, which is made up of more than 200 organisations addressing climate change. 'This important milestone was only made possible by significant efforts by the co-facilitators and regional leaders from governments, supported by the health community'. 'However, the absence of any mention of the impacts of fossil fuels or the need for fossil fuel subsidy reform misses a key opportunity to emphasise these connections in the minds and policies of governments around the world', added Tasker. 'Crucially, its adoption marks the start of a new phase where governments and WHO are committing to accelerated action on climate and health.' Key strengths of the Global Action Plan include a call for member states to integrate health into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs - countries' national climate commitments under the Paris Agreement) and integrate climate into national health strategies, policies and plans; a strong focus on maximising the health co-benefits of mitigation and adaptation activities across different government sectors; and a commitment to engage communities and civil society organisations in the development, implementation and evaluation of climate and health strategies. However, the plan's path to adoption was made difficult by a number of member states calling for postponement, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Russia, Bahrain, Venezuela, supported by other countries from the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean region that have been calling for the plan's postponement. But, over the course of discussions on Monday afternoon, these voices were far outweighed by more than 60 countries who took to the floor to share why it was critical to adopt the global action plan. A small number of high-income countries, including the UK, Germany, Australia and Japan, supported the action plan as a whole, but officially noted their objections to language on Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capacities (CBDR-RC), a concept included in the Paris Agreement, which calls for global solidarity in climate change responses. 'Without action to mitigate climate change through reduction of fossil fuel use, the health impacts of climate change will soon outstrip the capacities of health systems to respond', said Tasker. 'To counter this, governments must make climate a core part of national health strategies, and health a key part of countries' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs); governments must include a stronger focus on vulnerable groups such as women and children, older adults, LGBTQ, refugee and migrant populations, and people with poor mental health or disabilities.' 'The adoption of the Global Plan of Action means that governments must now recognise and respond to the profound role that climate change and its primary driver, fossil fuels, play in determining health outcomes for people around the world', concluded Tasker. About GCHA The Global Climate and Health Alliance is a consortium of more than 200 health professional and health civil society organisations and networks from around the world addressing climate change. We are united by a shared vision of an equitable, sustainable future, in which the health impacts of climate change are minimised, and the health co-benefits of climate change mitigation are maximised.
