Health and climate research, at the local and global level, is important for providing evidence on various topics, such as:

• Climate-sensitivity of diseases and health risks; 
• How communities understand and cope with health-related climate risks; 
• How local conditions and vulnerabilities are connected to broader determinants; 
• Degree to which communities and local health services are prepared to cope with climate-related changes and shock; 
• Lives saved and costs prevented in the health system through timely climate action; 
• Which interventions are most effective in decarbonizing health services and supply chains 

Building climate resilience calls for both basic and applied research to reduce uncertainty about how local conditions may be affected, gaining insight into local solutions and capacities, and building evidence to strengthen decision-making.

Research should inform existing knowledge management platforms, be effectively interpreted and communicated, and find opportunities to be translated to practice. Applied research that can develop and test new technologies, data tools and instruments, and strategies for risk management are also critical to evidence-based decision-making.

For more information on the objectives, sample outputs and indicators for managing environmental determinants of health, see the WHO Operational Framework for building climate-resilient and low carbon health systems (under resources).