COP26 Special Report on climate change and health

This report details 10 recommendations that propose priority actions from the global health community to governments and policy makers, calling on them to act with urgency on the current climate and health crises. The recommendations were developed in consultation with over 150 organizations and 400 experts and health professionals. They are intended to inform governments and other stakeholders ahead of the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and to highlight various opportunities for governments to prioritize health and equity in the international climate movement and sustainable development agenda. Each recommendation comes with a selection of resources and case studies to help inspire and guide policymakers and practitioners in implementing the suggested solutions.

The report concludes that protecting people’s health from climate change requires transformational action in every sector, including on energy, transport, nature, food systems and finance. The public health benefits from implementing these ambitious climate actions far outweigh their costs. Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity and while no one is safe from the health impacts of climate change, they are disproportionately felt by the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Health leaders everywhere have been sounding the alarm on climate change and are increasingly taking steps to protect their communities from worsening climate impacts, while reducing their own emissions.