In a paper published in The Lancet in 2009, climate change was described as “the biggest global health threat of the 21^st century”.

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Since then, the case for addressing climate change and its impacts on health – as well as the co-benefits of mitigation for health – has been firmly established. There is a growing body of literature calling for cross-sectoral responses to this challenge, to be placed within the broader agenda of sustainable development.

The inaugural Climate and Health Summit was held at COP17 in Durban. The Summit brought together key stakeholders from the health sector to discuss how health considerations could influence action on climate change. At the conclusion, attending delegates adopted the Durban Declaration on Climate and Health and the Health Sector Call to Action.

At the second Climate and Health Summit, groups collaborated and shared progress in the development and implementation of strategies and projects to build resilience to the impacts of climate change on health.

The Global Climate and Health Alliance is organising a one-day Climate and Health Summit in Lima, in parallel with COP20. The Summit will provide delegates with the latest evidence, showcase policy and practice success stories, and will align both the health and non-health communities to coordinate efforts on a route map to 2015.

Find out more: Frequently-asked Questions.