WHO at COP31: climate and health briefing and key messages
Overview
This briefing sets out WHO’s climate change and health priorities for COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, taking place 9 - 20th November.
First, climate change is already causing measurable harm to health, and its impacts fall unequally on regions and people. An estimated 3.3 to 3.6 billion people live in contexts highly vulnerable to climate change, and the communities most at risk need specific consideration.
Second, health systems must become climate-resilient, low-carbon and sustainable. Antalya is the moment to move from commitment to implementation of the Belém Health Action Plan, supported by the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) and the new Antalya Initiative for Health Resilience (AIR).
Third, health is the strongest argument for climate action. Scaling up six prioritised climate-health actions could save 1.6 million lives a year and return around US$ 24 for every dollar invested. The case is clear: cut emissions, adapt with health in mind, finance what works and put health in the negotiated text.
For each message, the briefing gives background evidence and presents specific asks of countries and partners. It shows where health fits across the COP31 thematic days, and acts as a key resource for delegates, civil society and the wider climate and health community looking to take action for climate change and health at COP31.