At first Health Day at COP28, 120 countries signed the climate and health declaration

At COP28 in Dubai, UAE, the global leaders attended the first ever “Health Day” on 2nd of December 2023, ending the 27 COPs without a serious discussion of health.

“Undoubtedly, health stands as the most compelling reason for taking climate action,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General. “For too long, health has been a footnote in climate discussions.”

Over 120 countries signed the COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health. The declaration focuses on gathering support, galvanising action, and mobilising finances to improve the resilience of health systems.

The health sector can and must contribute to this endeavour, being responsible for 4.4% of global carbon emissions. Moreover, climate change affects the human health through heatwaves, wildfires, air pollution and other extreme weather events, including flooding.

COP28: health is finally on the agenda – but there’s more to do as we face continued climate extremes https://theconversation.com/cop28-health-is-finally-on-the-agenda-but-theres-more-to-do-as-we-face-continued-climate-extremes-218913#:~:text=As%20WHO%20Director%20General%20Tedros,a%20footnote%20in%20climate%20discussions.

More…

COP28 UAE https://www.cop28.com/

UN Climate Change Conference – United Arab Emirates https://unfccc.int/cop28

Over 40 million health professionals demand bold health and climate action at COP28 https://www.who.int/news/item/02-12-2023-over-40-million-health-professionals-demand-bold-health-and-climate-action-at-cop28#:~:text=WHO%20and%20over%2040%20million,and%20greener%20future%20for%20humanity.

Explainer: How climate change is making the world sick https://www.reuters.com/world/how-climate-change-is-making-world-sick-2023-12-03/