Skyler Knutzen/Global Climate and Health Alliance.
The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference, or COP28, will convene from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). For the first time in the history of the global climate negotiations, health is officially on the agenda and health ministers are already lining up to attend including from Brazil; Egypt; Fiji; Germany; India; Kenya; the Netherlands; Sierra Leone; UK; US; Vietnam and more. Visit our COP28 Health Hub to find out more.
The health community around the world has been mobilising to make their voices heard. We’re keeping track of some of the key developments as they unfold….
29 Nov. 1 day till COP28
- The WHO’s call to action for COP28 attracts 42 708 222 signatures from the health community. The call out demands
1. Deliver on the Paris Agreement and accelerate the phase out of fossil fuels to safeguard a liveable future for humanity and save a million lives a year from air pollution;
2. Build climate-resilient, low-carbon health systems as “no regrets” protection for current and future lives;
3. Deliver on promises of US$ 100 billion a year in climate finance, and spend this on saving lives and improving the health of the most vulnerable.15 Nov. 15 days till COP28
- Lancet Countdown 2023 Report reveals new data on the grave and mounting threat to health of further delayed action on climate change.
02 Nov. 28 days till COP28
- Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (Canada) organise billboards across the city of Ottawa showing the human impact of climate change.
01 Nov. 29 days till COP28
- Health community representing 46 million professionals from around the world unite to send an Open Letter to the President of COP28 demanding a full fossil fuel phase out at COP28.
31 Oct. 30 days till COP28
- GCHA releases Climate and Us – a major new series with BBC Storyworks documenting the connections between climate and health in 24 short films.
- Green Alliance (UK) publishes a series of essays setting out the interconnection between climate change and public health such as poor diets, racism and a struggling UK health service.
28 Oct. 33 days till COP28
- Family doctors from around the world unite at the WONCA World Conference to make an urgent call for governments to combat the growing health impact of climate change.
26 Oct. 35 days till COP28
- Over 200 health journals, including The BMJ, The Lancet, JAMA, the Medical Journal of Australia, the East African Medical Journal, the National Medical Journal of India and Dubai Medical Journal. urge the World Health Organization to declare the deadly climate and nature crisis as a global health emergency.