WHO’s Agenda at COP28: Putting Health at the Center Stage

December 1, 2023

In a historic move, health takes center stage at the 27-year-old United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) with a dedicated day on Health/Relief, Recovery, and Peace on December 3 in Dubai, the venue of COP28. The day, hosted by the COP28 Presidency and the World Health Organization (WHO), features the first-ever climate-health ministerial, bringing together over 50 ministers from health, environment, and other sectors.

Three Key Calls by WHO at COP28

Director-General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlights three crucial calls at COP28:

Phase Out Fossil Fuels: Urging nations to transition away from fossil fuels to combat climate change.
Strengthen Climate Resilience of Health Systems: Emphasizing the need to build climate-resilient health systems, including workforce strengthening and disease surveillance.
Redirect Fossil Fuel Subsidies to Health: Calling for redirecting funds from fossil fuel subsidies to the health sector.

Despite the health sector being at the forefront of the climate crisis, it receives only half a percent of global climate financing. Ghebreyesus calls for redirecting funds and urges high-income countries to honor their $100 billion support pledge.

Declaration on Climate and Health

A draft termed “health and climate ministerial declaration” is set to be released during COP28. Developed by the COP28 Presidency, the Ministry of Health and Prevention of the UAE, and WHO, the non-binding mechanism aims to engage parties in addressing urgent needs, integrating climate and health. The declaration calls for adaptation interventions, climate-health information services, and early warning responses.

However, concerns have been raised regarding the lack of emphasis on eliminating fossil fuels in the draft. Calls to strengthen the UNFCCC Conflict of Interest Policy and provide mental health support for environmental damage aftermath are also highlighted.

COP28 Health Pavilion

For the third year, the COP28 Health Pavilion, hosted by WHO and the Wellcome Trust, will feature 40 events from December 1 to 12. The Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health will host a full day of events on December 4. The Energy for Health installation, showcasing decentralized renewable energy solutions for the healthcare sector, opens on December 2, inaugurated by Ghebreyesus, UNICEF, and India’s Selco Foundation.

Despite improvements, gaps remain in Nationally Determined Contributions, with only 16% including targets for air pollution. The COP28 bulletin points out the evolving recognition of the impact of climate change on human health and the need to minimize adverse effects, emphasizing the rights-based approach in the Paris Agreement.

As health accounts for nearly 25% of global deaths attributed to environmental decisions, stakeholders stress the need for increased visibility and realization of health considerations in global environmental policies.

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