Component 1: Climate-transformative leadership and governance 

Political leadership and commitment within the health sector are essential to enhance its environmental sustainability and effectively address the health risks of climate within the full range of programmes across sectors. The objectives of this component is to ensure that climate change considerations are reflected in health policies and programmes, and that health is equally integrated in climate change processes, policies and plans. This involves ensuring collaboration between all relevant sectors, such as environmental health; vector control; water, sanitation and hygiene; disaster management; health information systems; policy; and finance. Effectively responding to climate change also implies monitoring and regulating climate-related health risks that originate in other sectors, such as agriculture and food, waste, energy, and transport. 

Strategies to enhance governance and collaboration include designating climate change and health focal points within the health ministry to manage collaboration between relevant sectors; developing a national strategy on health and climate change and/or health national adaptation plan (HNAP) integrating health in the NDCs, and establishing agreements (e.g. Memoranda of Understanding) between the health ministry and main stakeholders at national level (e.g. Meteorological services). 

For more information on the objectives, sample outputs, and indicators for climate-transformative leadership and governance, see the WHO Operational Framework for Building Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Health Systems (under Resources).