Timing: 2.30pm-3pm (local time)
📅 Date: 13 November
📌 Location: UNFCCC Press Conference 2, Area D, Belem
On-the-ground contact: Shitiz Jha +91 93106 23741.
A recording will be available after the event.
Contact [email protected] for interviews and videoThis media briefing will explore:
- Delays in climate action are driving a public health crisis: Climate change is harming health right now; costing lives, straining health systems, and putting communities at risk. We are seeing record-breaking impacts worldwide, from surges in heat-related illness and deaths to worsening air pollution, drought, wildfires, and food insecurity. These threats are rising faster than our ability to adapt. Urgent action is needed to protect people today and in the years to come.
- Investing in climate adaptation finance is a direct investment in protecting lives and livelihoods. Climate change is already driving more heatwaves, floods, disease outbreaks, and food insecurity—overwhelming health systems and costing billions in avoidable losses. Framing adaptation through a health lens makes the impacts tangible, urgent and relatable, showing that every dollar spent on climate-resilient and accessible health systems, institutional capacity building, early warning tools, and community protection measures saves lives, reduces healthcare costs, and safeguards economic stability. Health narratives resonate across cultures, cut through political divides, and turn climate adaptation from an abstract concept into a clear, human priority.
- Put health at the heart of climate and adaptation finance. Strong climate ambition isn’t just about cutting emissions—it’s about saving lives, reducing health costs, and building resilience. Shift subsidies from fossil fuels to clean, affordable energy and healthier communities. In short, our tax money should not be going to making us sick. Deliver evidence-based, well-funded climate plans that protect people’s health today and in the future. Ensure adaptation strategies include early warning systems, bolstering healthcare systems, research and development, indigenous and community voices, and equity at their core. Protect multilateral cooperation—because climate change knows no borders, and neither should our solutions.
- Integrate adaptation finance and health impacts into every climate decision. Champion ambitious climate targets that prioritize people’s well-being, and secure financing that supports both mitigation and adaptation. Coordinate cross-border health surveillance and disaster response and risk management to protect communities from worsening climate threats. Position health as a unifying, non-political, non-partisan entry point for urgent climate cooperation.
Speakers:
- Dr Marina Romanello, Lancet Countdown Executive Director, Institute for Global Health, University College London
- PhD Sandra Cortes, President of Climate Change Scientific Committee, Ministry of Environment, Chile
- Md. Ziaul Haque, Additional Director General, Ministry of Environment, Bangladesh
- Carlos Lopes, Special Envoy for Africa, COP 30 Presidency
- Oden Ewa, Commissioner for Special Duties, Intergovernmental Relations, and Green Economy Lead, Nigeria
- Dr Vishwas Chitale, Fellow, Council for Energy, Environment & Water, India and Research Fellow, United Nations University
- Moderator: Jeni Miller, Executive Director, Global Climate and Health Alliance
