COP29 Elevates Health as a Key Climate Priority

As the world looks ahead to the COP29 United Nations climate conference in November 2024, there is a growing recognition that health and climate change are intrinsically linked. The upcoming summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, will see health elevated to a central issue on the agenda. This shift signals a crucial evolution in global climate action, focusing on environmental impacts and the significant health ramifications of climate change.

Health and Climate: An Intertwined Crisis

Climate change has already begun to manifest severe health consequences, from the spread of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue to the exacerbation of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses due to poor air quality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause an additional 250,000 deaths per year due to heat stress, malnutrition, and diseases such as malaria and diarrhoea. These statistics show that addressing climate change without considering health is a missed opportunity to mitigate its human toll.

At COP29, this realisation is coming to the fore. For the first time, health will have a dedicated day and see the introduction of various health-focused initiatives. Elmar Mammadov, Co-Lead of the COP29 Global and Regional Initiatives and Action Agenda Team, emphasised that the presidency aims to make health a permanent and sustainable focus at future COPs. Mammadov highlighted the intention to form a coalition with the WHO and previous COP presidencies, building on the legacy of the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH), an informal network established at COP26.

Key Health Initiatives at COP29

Several initiatives to enhance the intersection of health and climate resilience will be unveiled at COP29. The Harmonia 4 Climate Resilience Initiative, developed in collaboration with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), aims to empower rural communities by integrating climate-resilient farming practices. This initiative recognises food security’s critical role in health outcomes, particularly in low-income regions where climate change threatens to undermine agricultural productivity.

Another major programme, the Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate Resilience, is a multi-sectoral effort focusing on health, education, employment, and youth empowerment. This initiative addresses the social determinants of health, acknowledging that the effects of climate change are deeply intertwined with economic and educational disparities.

A significant focus of COP29 will be on integrating health into urban planning. Cities are increasingly seen as key battlegrounds in the fight against climate change, as they generate significant global carbon emissions. Mammadov pointed out several events and roundtables will be dedicated to healthy cities and urban agriculture. These discussions will explore how urban landscapes can be reimagined to promote better health outcomes, focusing on reforestation and sustainable urban farming practices.

The Global Health Impact of Climate Change

The WHO’s Director of Environment, Climate Change, and Health, Dr Maria Neira, stressed the importance of collaboration between COP29 and other UN agencies. She pointed out that climate change’s impacts on health are multifaceted, involving physical and mental health. For example, extreme heat and natural disasters, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change, have been linked to increased rates of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Neira also highlighted the importance of gender equity in climate and health discussions. Women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, are often disproportionately affected by the health impacts of climate change. They are more likely to suffer from malnutrition and are often primary caregivers, making them more vulnerable to the cascading effects of climate-related health crises. Gender equity will thus be a key topic at COP29, ensuring that climate solutions are inclusive and address the needs of the most vulnerable.

Making COP29 Inclusive and Accessible

In addition to health, another key goal of COP29 is to make the conference more inclusive. Previous COPs have faced criticism for being inaccessible to certain groups, particularly from the Global South, due to high costs, visa issues, and limited opportunities for participation. Mammadov stressed that the presidency would make a concerted effort to ensure that all voices, particularly those from underrepresented regions, are heard. He emphasised that the success of climate action depends on incorporating diverse perspectives, particularly from those most affected by the climate crisis.

The presidency also encourages multilateral development banks and climate funds to invest in health and climate initiatives. By directing financial resources towards these areas, COP29 aims to catalyse tangible action to improve health outcomes and build resilience against future climate shocks.

Call to Action

As the world grapples with the dual crises of climate change and public health, COP29 presents a unique opportunity to align global climate and health policies. The initiatives outlined by the presidency, coupled with the WHO’s expertise, are a promising step towards making health a central component of climate action. However, the success of these efforts will depend on sustained political will, investment, and the involvement of all sectors of society.

The health impacts of climate change are not just a future threat — they are already being felt globally. Dr Neira aptly noted, “We cannot afford to wait until tomorrow to act on health and climate. The time to integrate these two agendas is now, and COP29 will be a critical milestone in this journey”.

By prioritising health at COP29 and beyond, global leaders have the chance to curb emissions and save lives. The challenge now is to ensure that the commitments made in Baku translate into real-world action, benefiting those most vulnerable to the health impacts of our changing climate.