In an opinion analysis published today at Think Global Health, a publication from the Council on Foreign Relations, Diana Picon Manyari, Health Care Without Harm’s International Climate Director, examines different actions taking place at a global level to contribute to the decarbonization of the health care sector.

During COP28, over 40 key thinkers and leaders from international organizations, government agencies, health systems, and civil society participated in a roundtable session to discuss how to accelerate health care climate action. The discussion focused on the pivotal current moment and future prospects for health care decarbonization and resilience, including the role of prevention as a mitigation strategy, acknowledging and addressing North-South complexity, and building an evidence base, tools, and technical capacity.

Despite facing unprecedented global challenges, including record-high temperatures and widespread natural disasters, COP28 showcased significant progress in health-focused climate action. However, it's evident that the commitments and actions from COP28 fall short of adequately addressing the scale of the climate crisis.

Shweta Narayan, Health Care Without Harm’s International climate and health campaigner, and Dr. Laalitha Surapaneni, a physician at the University of Minnesota, United States, explain in an editorial published today in PLOS's blog Speaking of Medicine and Health why health-based planning and accessible health care must be at the core of a truly just transition away from fossil fuels.

On November, Health Care With Harm and the Global Climate and Health Alliance launched the COP28 Open Letter on fossil fuels, unifying the voice of organizations representing over 46 million health care professionals from 135 countries.

Each year, we celebrate institutions at the forefront of health care climate action with our Health Care Climate Challenge awards. These hospitals and health systems are pioneering innovative and effective solutions to mitigate health care’s climate footprint and enhance their resilience. They are beacons around the world guiding the health care sector on its climate-smart journey.  

Laetania Belai Djandam, Climate Officer, Health Care Without Harm.

Health Care Without Harm global network at COP28

The Health Care Without Harm's delegation at COP28 is its largest and most diverse ever, with 12 members from Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa, South East Asia, the UK, and the United States.

• Laetania Belai Djandam, Climate Officer, Health Care Without Harm.

Health Care Without Harm global network at COP28

The Health Care Without Harm's delegation at COP28 is its largest and most diverse ever, with 12 members from Australia, Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa, South East Asia, the UK, and the United States.

• Laetania Belai Djandam, Climate Officer, Health Care Without Harm.

The Climate Impact Checkup is a revolutionary tool designed to empower health care institutions worldwide in assessing their environmental impact by estimating their greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint. Since its launch two years ago, this groundbreaking calculator has gained traction, with over 500 healthcare facilities spanning more than 25 countries actively embracing it to monitor and transparently report their GHG emissions closely.

By Andrea Hurtado Epstein