Leading the way for a healthy climate
Climate change is undoubtedly one of the gravest challenges humankind has ever faced. The fabrics of natural ecosystems and our societies are beginning to unravel from the devastating impacts of climate pollution. This crisis presents an unparalleled threat to our health and well-being. It also presents an opportunity for transformative systems change.
Whether treating respiratory disease from fossil fuel or wildfire pollution or protecting hospitals from floods, health care providers are first responders to these climate emergencies. Yet, health care’s climate footprint is also a significant contributor to this problem, with 4.4% of global net emissions. Health care’s most potent message is to lead by example–cutting emissions quickly and building climate resilient health systems.
By working together, we can embark on a road to recovery that’s healthier, more equitable, and more resilient for people and the planet. Health leaders can implement transformative solutions to prevent fossil fuel pollution and prepare systems and facilities for climate impacts.
We must act fast and we must act first.
Whether you’re a health minister, CEO of a private health institution, or a health professional, Health Care Without Harm provides guidance, and resources on decarbonizing, bolstering resilient health systems and demonstrating leadership. We seek to enable health care to fulfill its mission to do no harm while providing more equitable access to care.
Over 50 health care systems representing more than 11,500 hospitals and health centers join the Race To Zero.
Country commitments to strengthen the climate resilience and sustainability of their health systems.
Achieving zero emissions, climate resilience and health equity
Country commitments to strengthen the climate resilience and sustainability of their health systems.
Health Care Without Harm is presenting its position paper on Just Transition, which includes the principles and positions that guide the conversation on this topic.
Live stream links and more information added daily. All event times are shown in local time (Egypt, EET). To calculate the time in your local time zone, visit this page.
The COP27’s side event showcased some of the challenges and opportunities in financing the commitments to build climate-resilient and low-carbon health and included some updates on the progress of the initiative.
The session will showcase how the health care sector can accelerate concrete actions that reduce emissions while supporting a just transition to a healthier, more equitable, and resilient future.
For Immediate Release: November 9, 2022
Contact:
- Governments and the private sector are implementing commitments made at COP26 and by the G7 covering more than 47% of all health sector climate emissions via the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) and the Race to Zero.
Health Care Without Harm participates in and leads different initiatives that advocate for a healthier, more resilient and inclusive health care delivery around the world.
Check out Health Care Climate Action gains momentum from COP26 to COP27.
Health, a fossil fuel-free future, and reparations for loss and damage must be at the frontline of an equitable climate action – this is the resounding call of the health community from South East Asia to Member States and convenors of the 27th UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP27) happening in Egypt this November, whose patients and surrounding communities are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis.
On October 6, Health Care Without Harm will be featured in a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE) webinar that will shine a light on solutions to create net zero, resilient health care from around the world.
Featuring representatives of the UN-backed global campaign Race to Zero, along with members of health care institutions participating in the campaign, this event will feature international perspectives on the innovative climate policies and strategies being implemented to transform the health care sector.
Climate change is creating a health emergency. In a survey of hospital doctors and nurses in France, Germany and the UK, many agreed they need to better prepare patients and adapt their healthcare systems to be more sustainable.
On the International day of clean air for blue skies, Health Care Without Harm is sharing a dossier for health professionals on the impacts of air pollution on health.
The dossier contains information compiled from various sources and aims to build the knowledge and capacity of health professionals. It highlights the importance of health professional advocacy around air pollution and provides useful tips that health professionals can adopt in their engagement on the issue.
This new initiative will coordinate and implement actions around the commitments on climate resilient and low carbon sustainable health systems adopted by countries during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.
Health Care Without Harm participated in a side event that presented the updates of the COP26 Health and Climate Programme.