National climate commitments are crucial for States to sustain a healthy, green recovery from COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new WHO report launched on October 11 in the lead-up to the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
In the COP26 Special Report on Climate Change and Health, the WHO spells out that transformational action in every sector, from energy, transport and nature to food systems and finance is needed to protect people.
The report comes up with ten recommendations from setting up of priority actions from the global health community to governments and policy makers, calling on them to act with urgency on the current climate and health crises. The recommendations were developed in consultation with over 150 organisations and 400 experts and health professionals.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the intimate and delicate links between humans, animals and our environment”, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
In the report, WHO says that the next few years present a crucial window for governments to integrate health and climate policies in their COVID-19 recovery packages
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Commit to a healthy, green and just recovery from COVID-19.
- Make COP26 the ‘Health COP’, placing health and social justice at the heart of discussions.
- Prioritize climate interventions with the largest health-, social- and economic gains.
- Build climate resilient health systems, and support health adaptation across sectors.
- Transition to renewable energy, to save lives from air pollution.
- Promote sustainable, healthy urban design and transport systems.
- Protect and restore nature and ecosystems.
- Promote sustainable food supply chains and diets for climate and health outcomes.
- Transition towards a wellbeing economy.
- Mobilize and support the health community on climate action.
