In November 2021, World Health Organization (WHO), together with the UK Government and other partners, established the COP26 Health Programme - a flagship initiative to bring a stronger health focus and ambition to the UN climate negotiations.
As part of the COP26 Health Programme, almost 60 countries have already committed to build climate resilient and low carbon health systems. Countries agreed to take concrete steps towards creating health systems that are resilient to growing climate impacts, while many countries also committed to transform their health systems to be more environmentally sustainable and low carbon. Nineteen countries have also set a target date to reach net zero carbon emissions in their health system before 2050.
These country commitments will at the same time promote health, address climate change and guide countries towards a healthy and green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. WHO and its partners will be supporting these countries in achieving their commitments in the months and years ahead.
Side event "Update on COP26 Health and Climate Programme"
WHO HQ, WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe), UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA), International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA) and Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) co-organized this side event at the margin of SB 56 UN Climate Change Conference, with the aim of:
- Presenting the COP26 Health Programme and country commitments on building climate resilient and environmentally sustainable low carbon health systems;
- Informing on the WHO technical support package for the implementation of COP26 health commitments on building climate resilient and low carbon health systems;
- Inviting new countries to make commitments on climate resilient and environmentally sustainable low carbon health systems;
- Endorsing the Health Community Recommendations submitted to SB56;
- Promoting the open letter to universities and education stakeholders “A call for strengthening climate change education for all health professionals”.
Speakers included representatives from UN organizations, civil society, parties, policy makers, and youth leaders:
- Dr Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, Head of Climate Change Unit, WHO
- Chris Carter, Deputy Director - Head of Human Development Department, FCDO
- Dr Alison Doig, Director, Health and Climate Network / GCHA representative
- Mohamed Eissa, Liaison Officer for Public Health Issues, International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA)
- Anna Fuhrmann, Climate Officer, Health Care Without Harm Europe
- Moderator: James Creswick, Technical officer, WHO/Europe
Logistical information
The 56th session of the UNFCCC subsidiary bodies (SB 56 UN Climate Change Conference) takes place on 6-16 June 2022 in the World Convention Center, Bonn, Germany.
Summary of the event can be found here.
Recording of this side event can be accessed below and on the official UNFCCC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/UnfcccInt