Education
WHO to push for health-centred climate action, resilient health systems at COP31 – EnviroNews
– Advertisement –
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it will push for stronger integration of health priorities into global climate policies, financing and implementation at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled to hold from November 9 to 20, 2026, in Antalya, Türkiye.
The organisation said it would work with governments and partners to promote ambitious climate action and advance climate-resilient, low-carbon and sustainable health systems.
According to WHO, key issues it will prioritise at the conference include climate and health financing, adaptation, air pollution, resilient health systems and translating scientific evidence into practical action.
It said these efforts would be advanced through initiatives such as the Antalya Initiative for Health Resilience (AIR) and the WHO-led Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH).
In its key messages ahead of COP31, WHO stressed that the climate crisis was also a health crisis, arguing that protecting human health provided a compelling reason for more ambitious climate action.
The organisation noted that climate change was already causing measurable harm to human health, with an estimated 3.3 billion to 3.6 billion people living in contexts highly vulnerable to its impacts.
It added that more than 90 per cent of deaths from climate-related disasters over the past two decades occurred in developing countries, highlighting the unequal burden of climate impacts.
WHO said COP31 must demonstrate how climate action could deliver health, economic and environmental benefits while ensuring that health priorities were adequately reflected in national climate plans, adaptation measures and climate finance.
It further highlighted the potential benefits of prioritising climate-health interventions, estimating that scaling up such measures could save 1.6 million lives annually and generate approximately $24 in returns for every dollar invested.
The organisation called for increased investment in emission reduction, health-focused adaptation and effective climate-health interventions.
It also emphasised the need to strengthen health systems to withstand climate-related shocks while reducing their carbon footprints and improving sustainability.
According to WHO, the COP30 Belém Health Action Plan, the COP31 Antalya Initiative for Health Resilience and ATACH provide important platforms for accelerating implementation, strengthening national ownership and sharing experiences.
ATACH currently brings together more than 100 countries and a global network of technical partners to support the development of climate-resilient and low-carbon sustainable health systems.
The organisation noted that the inclusion of Dynamic and Resilient Health Systems among the COP31 Presidency’s 10 priority themes reflected growing recognition of health as both a frontline casualty of climate change and a foundation for effective climate responses.
As part of its participation, WHO will establish a Health Pavilion featuring a programme of live-streamed events showcasing evidence, initiatives and practical solutions for maximising the health benefits of climate action across regions, sectors and communities.
The programme will begin on November 9 with COP31 Health Day, featuring a ministerial roundtable and four high-level panel discussions.
The discussions will address climate-sensitive health technologies and access, climate action and digital health, the integration of humanitarian assistance and health in crisis management, and country experiences in developing dynamic and resilient health systems.
On November 10, ATACH Day will bring together health ministers and other stakeholders to examine national experiences, progress, challenges and solutions in building climate-resilient and low-carbon sustainable health systems.
Discussions will also focus on sustainable supply chains and strengthening climate and health action across different sectors.
Another major event is scheduled for November 14, when a United Nations high-level side event titled Resilient and Dynamic Health Systems: Progress from Recent COPs will showcase national experiences and examine priorities for strengthening health system resilience through climate action.
On November 18, WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will launch a new report focusing on air pollution and its impacts on children.
WHO said its participation at COP31 would seek to strengthen global commitment to placing health considerations at the centre of climate decision-making, financing and implementation.