Belem Action Plan for Health and Climate Adaptation launched at COP30 in Belem, Brazil. It is the first international climate adaptation document focused specifically on health.
Key Highlights
- Aim: strengthening global health systems to cope better with impacts of climate change.
- It is structured around two cross cutting principles and concepts - health equity and ‘climate justice’ and leadership and governance on climate and health with social participation.
- It outlines three lines of action for climate-resilient health systems:
- Surveillance & Monitoring: Climate-informed early warning systems and integrated data platforms.
- Evidence-based Policy & Capacity Building: Workforce upskilling, gender-responsive and equity-driven health policies, integration of mental health and psychosocial support etc.
- Innovation & Production: Resilient infrastructure, just transitions, sustainable supply chains, and return-on-investment frameworks.
- Funding: About 35 philanthropies, under the banner of Climate and Health Funders Coalition, announced an initial commitment of US $300 million for implementation.
Need for Climate Health Adaptation Plan
- Climate change is already driving a global health emergency, with over 540 000 people dying from extreme heat each year & 1 in 12 hospitals worldwide at risk of climate-related shutdowns.
- 3.3 to 3.6 billion people already live in areas highly vulnerable to climate change, and hospitals are facing 41% higher risk of damage from extreme weather.
