I'm in Australia. How do I follow #ClimateHealth at COP26?

Wednesday 27 October 2021

COP26 is almost here. Australia will have a smaller presence than previous years at the conference, given the difficulty in international travel right now. But we can still watch, learn and get involved in online events.

Here is a list of the climate change and health-related events which will be hosted online, most of which are publicly accessible. Plus, we've thrown in some Australian-focused events.

Be aware that the time difference is a little brutal, but event hosts should send you a recording when the event is finished.

Have we missed an event? Email [email protected]

Monday 1 November

IEF Conference Panel: Health equity and climate change
5-6.30pm GMT | 6-7.30am AEDT, 2 Nov | 3-4.30am AWST, 2 Nov
Anyone can register here

This panel will discuss the relationship between climate change, health and equity, and how many factors that lead to climate change are often the same that impact health inequities.

Tuesday 2 November

Sustainability in Healthcare and Education: Global challenges and solutions
8.30am-5pm GMT, 2-4 Nov | 7.30pm-4am AEDT, 2-5 Nov | 4.30pm-1am AWST, 2-5 Nov
Anyone can register here

This three-day COP26 satellite event by the University of Glasgow. This meeting will focus on three different but related areas that highlight challenges, stress the importance of the youth voice and, importantly, suggest positive ways forward.

Achieving the Paris Agreement and preventing the next pandemic: the case for transformative, climate-resilient and healthy food-systems
1-2pm GMT | 12-1am AEDT, 3 Nov | 9-10pm AWST, 2 Nov
You can follow live on YouTube

Experts will discuss the overlap between our food systems and pandemics, and how we can protect ourselves from future outbreaks and move ourselves towards sustainable, healthy diets.

Climate change and health: What is at stake for Europe?
12.45-1.30pm GMT | 11.45pm-12.30am AEDT, 2-3 Nov | 8.45-9.30pm AWST, 2 Nov
You can follow live on YouTube

Highlighting the link between climate and health can mobilise new groups of citizens for climate action. This session will present current research and a conversation on policy implication in Europe.

Global Food 2050: How can we deliver the climate resilient, sustainable and healthy diets of the future?
2.15-3.15pm GMT | 1.15-2.15am AEDT, 3 Nov | 10.15-11.15pm AWST, 2 Nov
Anyone can register here

This event will explore climate and health solutions that deliver a ‘farm to mouth’ food system that benefits human health, reduce environmental impacts and is resilient to ongoing climate change.

Getting to net zero healthcare for all: standardised metrics, mitigation, access and quality
3.30-4.30pm GMT | 2.30-3.30am AEDT, 3 Nov | 11.30pm-12.30am AWST, 2-3 Nov
Anyone can register here

Join sustainable healthcare leaders to discuss how healthcare can lead the way to reach net zero emissions.

Achieving Healthy Diets from Sustainable Blue Food Systems in Small Island Developing States
5-6pm GMT | 4-5am AEDT, 3 Nov | 1-2am AWST, 3 Nov
Anyone can register here

Key speakers will share knowledge and innovative solutions around shifting to healthy, sustainable, and resilient diets – with particular attention to aquatic foods and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Health in NDCs: Building a future for people and planet
6.15pm GMT | 5.15am AEDT, 3 Nov | 2.15am AWST, 3 Nov
Anyone can register here

This session will cover the Healthy NDC Scorecards by the Global Climate and Health Alliance, and examples of progress being made by different countries in the categories assessed in the Scorecard.

Wednesday 3 November

Launch of the Health Systems Global Thematic Working Group on climate-resilient and sustainable health systems (2021-25)
11.15am-12.15pm GMT | 10.15-11.15pm, 3 Nov | 7.15-8.15pm, 3 Nov
Anyone can register here

This event will launch the newly set up Thematic Working Group on climate-resilient and sustainable health systems. Academic experts, public health practitioners and funding agencies will discuss the importance of learning within health systems in the backdrop of two practical examples from the Caribbean.

Colliding Disasters: Adapting to increasing climate and health risks
1-2pm GMT | 12-1am AEDT, 4 Nov | 9-10pm AWST, 3 Nov
Anyone can register here

This session will bring together health and climate researchers with practitioners to discuss adaptation options for key risks at the interface of climate and health.

Climate change and One Health: An often neglected component
3.30-4.30pm GMT | 2.30-3.30am AEDT, 4 Nov | 11.30pm-12.30am AWST, 3-4 Nov
Watch it live here

'One Health' recognises the inextricable links between human, animal, and environmental health and the need to
follow a systems approach to climate change.

Mayors for Heat Action
3.30-4.45pm GMT | 2.30-3.45am AEDT, 4 Nov | 11.30pm-12.45am AWST, 3-4 Nov
Watch it at the COP26 Resilience Hub

Hear from mayors around the world on how they're tackling extreme heat in their cities.

Peace with Nature: Hearing the calls of Indigenous Peoples
6.30-7.45pm GMT | 5.30-6.45am AEDT, 4 Nov | 2.30-3.45am AWST, 4 Nov
This event is for those with UNFCCC badges only

This event will discuss the importance of coalitions between indigenous and religious leaders from diverse faith traditions to protect and restore nature.

Equip: (Un)learning Climate and Health Narratives
7-8.15pm GMT | 6-7.15am AEDT, 4 Nov | 3-4.15am AWST, 4 Nov
Anyone can register here

Participants prompted to question dominant narratives surrounding the environment, health and education. Participants will aim to begin to develop the frameworks to be able to examine the systems in order to think critically about different approaches to sustainable healthcare and education.

Thursday 4 November

Implementing NDCs through food systems transformation
11am-12.30pm GMT | 10-11.30pm AEDT, 4 Nov | 7-8.30pm AWST, 4 Nov
Anyone can register here

The session will explore leading initiatives, campaigns and sectoral approaches that can deliver deep, rapid and systemic transformation of the food system with a focus on integrated approaches that align with the One Health approach to healthy people and a healthy planet.

Transport systems that protect climate and health
11.15am-12.15pm GMT | 10.15-11.15pm AEDT, 4 Nov | 7.15-8.15pm AWST, 4 Nov
Anyone can register here

The links between transport, air pollution and health means transport reform can deliver good health outcomes. The side event will examine how inaction on sustainable can have a major impact on public health.

Climate-smart healthcare for a healthier planet
3-4.30pm GMT | 2-3.30am AEDT, 5 Nov | 11pm-12.30am AWST, 4-5 Nov
Anyone can register here

A collaborative event by the UNFCCC Climate Champions, Health Care Without Harm, Médecins Sans Frontières, Greener NHS, the Public Health Foundation of India and the World Health Organization.

Friday 5 November

Cleaning up our act: The air our children need to breathe
9-9.45am GMT | 8-8.45pm AEDT, 5 Nov | 5-5.45pm AWST, 5 Nov
Anyone can register here

This panel will look at the overlap between climate change, fossil fuels and air pollution, and how they are making our air unhealthy to breathe. The panel will look at how to leverage these issues to push for action.

Mitigating the environmental impact of healthcare: The interplay of research, industry government, and clinical leadership
10-11am GMT | 9-10pm AEDT, 5 Nov | 6-7pm AWST, 5 Nov
Anyone can register here

This event will bring together key international sustainable healthcare voices to discuss how the environmental impact of healthcare can be mitigated: exploring the interplay of research, clinical leadership, institutions, and industry.

Future Proof: Health systems for a healthy planet
10.15-11am GMT | 9.15-10pm AEDT, 5 Nov | 6.15-7pm AWST, 5 Nov
Anyone can register here

An expert panel, including Jennifer Kuhl from our partner organisation Global Climate and Health Alliance, will discuss how we can make our health systems climate-resilient and explore lessons learned during the pandemic.

Transforming Australia: from laggard to leader
11.30am-12.45pm GMT | 10.30-11.45am AEDT, 5 Nov | 7.30pm-8.45am AWST, 5 Nov
Anyone can register here

The event will explore what it takes for Australia to act to realise the benefits of the transition to net zero, and showcase the broad support that exists in Australia. Dr Janine Mohamed from the Lowitja Institute will speak in CAHA's slot about the recent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Climate Roundtable, and the pathway forward to Indigenous Climate Justice.

An inclusive planet: inclusion, mental health and climate change
3.30-5.30pm GMT | 2.30-4.30am AEDT, 6 Nov | 11.30pm-1.30am AWST, 5-6 Nov
Watch it at the COP26 YouTube channel

This panel will highlight the climate effects on the health and wellbeing of persons with disability, and explore how climate adaptation and resilience can be more inclusive.

Saturday 6 November

COP26 Global Day of Action
10am in your capital city
Anyone can RSVP on Facebook here

On 6 Nov, the COP26 Coalition is organising to bring thousands of people on to the streets of Glasgow to demand urgent action on climate change. Here in Australia we will be having major mobilisations on the streets on Saturday, all across the country, as part of a global day of action.

Global Conference on Health and Climate Change
9am-5.30pm GMT | 8pm-4.30am AEDT, 6-7 Nov | 5pm-1.30am AWST, 6-7 Nov
Anyone can register here

The 2021 Global Conference on Health & Climate Change will focus on climate justice and achieving a healthy and green recovery from COVID-19. The Conference will support and highlight climate action around the world and mobilise the health sector movement for ambitious climate action.

Rio Convention Pavilion (Health): Advancing One Health through the articulation of linkages between biodiversity, climate change, desertification and health
6.15-7.45pm GMT | 5.15-6.45am AEDT, 7 Nov | 2.15-3.45am AWST, 7 Nov
Anyone can livestream the event here

This side-event will articulate a One Health approach that leverages interconnections between biodiversity, climate change, and desertification.

Sunday 7 November

From eco-anxiety to agency: A How-To Workshop
10.30am-12pm GMT | 9.30-11pm AEDT, 7 Nov | 6.30-8pm AWST, 7 Nov
Anyone can register here

In this workshop, hosts will create a space for attendees to check in on themselves and their well-being during a period of intense exposure to the reality of climate change, and share those feelings with others.

Healthy and Sustainable Diets at the UN Climate Conference
4-5pm GMT | 3-4am AEDT, 8 Nov | 12-1am AWST, 8 Nov
Anyone can register here

Food systems experts will explore the inextricable link between healthy and sustainable diets and public health, local food systems, food workers, and biodiversity.

Monday 8 November

Climate change and health in the COVID-19 pandemic era: Lessons learned and the way forward
9am GMT | 8pm AEDT, 8 Nov | 5pm AWST, 8 Nov
Anyone can register here

This session will focus on the links between the environment, climate change and health in the COVID-19 era, and developing the capacity of attendees, from the health-related and non-health-related background on the effects of climate change on human health.

Regional climate information: Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica
9.15-10.45am GMT | 8.15-9.45pm AEDT, 8 Nov | 5.15-6.45pm AWST, 8 Nov
Anyone can register here

The IPCC is presenting the findings of Working Group I sixth assessment report on the past and future climate changes in Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica.

Youth-led research showcase and interactive dialogue on the impact of climate change on youth livelihoods and health in Africa
9.30-10.30am GMT | 8.30-9.30pm AEDT, 8 Nov | 5.30-6.30pm AWST, 8 Nov
Watch it at the COP26 YouTube channel

This discussion will present two youth-led research projects in Uganda and Zimbabwe, looking at the impact of climate change on the livelihoods and health of young people.

Australian companies and the extractivist response to the climate crisis
11.30am GMT | 10.30pm AEDT, 8 Nov | 7.30pm AWST, 8 Nov
Anyone can register here

This session will present preliminary findings of research that examines the role of destructive extractive Australian companies in exacerbating human rights violations and ecological destruction in the name of climate action.

A wasted opportunity: Open burning of waste causes a climate and health calamity
1.15-2.30pm GMT | 12.15-1.30am AEDT, 9 Nov | 9.15-10.30pm AWST, 8 Nov
This event is for those with UNFCCC badges only

Global leaders will discuss solutions to the open burning of waste, which has deadly health impacts and emits double the greenhouse gases of the aviation industry.

Healthy NDCs in Latin America
3-4.15pm GMT | 2-3.15am AEDT, 9 Nov | 11pm-12.15am AWST, 8-9 Nov
Anyone can watch live here

The Global Climate and Health Alliance will promote the importance of integrating health into climate policy to protect populations, and highlight examples of good practices in the NDCs of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights for climate change adaptation and resilience
3-4.15pm GMT | 2-3.15am AEDT, 9 Nov | 11pm-12.15am AWST, 8-9 Nov
This event is for those with UNFCCC badges only

Climate and gender activists and organisations, youth networks and experts from countries heavily impacted by the climate crisis will make the case for inclusion of sexual and reproductive health rights as essential to inclusive, rights-based and gender-transformative climate action.

Lifting up solutions for healthy and sustainable diets
3-4.30pm GMT | 2-3.30am AEDT, 9 Nov | 11pm-12.30am AWST, 8-9 Nov
Anyone can register here

This session will explore the importance of healthy sustainable diets for people and the planet. Speakers will address the challenges communities face accessing fresh, healthy foods as well as potential solutions.

Resilience in sustainable supply chains
4-6pm GMT | 3-5am AEDT, 9 Nov | 12-2am AWST, 9 Nov
You can sign up as a "digital delegate" to watch online for free

This conference will look at the importance of the human-ocean relationship, highlighting the roles that each part of the supply chain can take in working towards a responsible, resilient, sustainable and safe blue economy that protects our oceans and our health.

Washing Up: Ensuring universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene
4-4.45pm GMT | 3-3.45am AEDT, 9 Nov | 12-12.45am AWST, 9 Nov
Anyone can register here

A panel (including Matt Damon!) on how to incentivise the public and private sector to meet the SDG goals around water, sanitation and hygiene.

Healthier Lives on a Healthier Planet: Linking climate change and health equity
4.30-5.30pm GMT | 3.30-4.30am AEDT, 9 Nov | 12.30-1.30am AWST, 9 Nov
Anyone can watch live here

Hosted by the U.S. Center

Tuesday 9 November

We need to talk about mental health in a changing climate
12-1.30pm GMT | 11pm-12.30am AEDT, 9-10 Nov | 8-9.30pm AWST, 9 Nov
Anyone can register here

This mental health event will examine the impact climate change has on our minds and how to use our emotions, passions, and skills to implement meaningful climate action.

Healthy Community Advocacy in the COP26 Health Programme
1pm GMT | 12am AEDT, 10 Nov | 9pm AWST, 9 Nov
Anyone can register here

In the run up to COP26 health professionals have mobilised around the world to deliver a strong message on urgent climate action, and examine why governments benefit from providing them a platform and heeding their message.

Emotional burdens of oppression and the climate crisis
2pm GMT | 1am AEDT, 10 Nov | 10pm AWST, 9 Nov
Anyone can register here

Experiencing and learning about oppression, often exacerbated by climate change leaves us with emotional burdens of grief, sadness and despair. A chance to feel and heal these emotions can unleash our initiative to be more effective in addressing the climate crisis.

Climate change and pandemics: Two crises, one nature-based solution
6.15-7.45pm GMT | 5.15-6.45am AEDT, 10 Nov | 2.15-3.45am AWST, 10 Nov
Anyone can livestream the event here

Leaders from governments, international organisations and Indigenous communities will discuss the urgent need to protect tropical forests and biodiversity and invest in sustainable agriculture, to mitigate climate change and prevent future pandemics.

The health argument for climate action: The COP26 Health Programme
6.30-7.45pm GMT | 5.30-6.45am AEDT, 10 Nov | 2.30-3.45am AWST, 10 Nov
This event is for those with UNFCCC badges only

The objective of this event is to raise awareness and support for wider COP26 Health Programme. Health has been chosen as a COP26 science priority area. The COP26 Health Programme has been established to bring stronger health focus and ambition to COP26.

Hope in Action: Resilient responses in times of climate crisis
6.30pm GMT | 5.30am AEDT, 10 Nov | 2.30am AWST, 10 Nov
Anyone can register here

An exploration of how we can build hope and resilience into our fight for climate justice, systemic change and into creating alternative ways of living. This will be an interactive panel discussion with visionary activists and changemakers, exploring how hope can be utilised as an empowering strategy to help us respond resiliently in these times of climate emergency.

Wednesday 10 November

Where the streets have no air – South-south experiences on citizen air quality measurements
10-11.30am GMT | 9-10.30pm AEDT, 10 Nov | 6-7.30pm AWST, 10 Nov
Watch it at the COP26 YouTube channel

Latino American and African stakeholders talk about their collaboration to increase public awareness the health impacts on air pollution and how to use this data to executive climate mitigation measures.

Climate action to protect and promote health: Sharing knowledge among regions to focus on solutions
11.30am-12.45pm | 10.30-11.45pm AEDT, 10 Nov | 7.30-8.45pm AWST, 10 Nov
This event is for those with UNFCCC badges only

A discussion to explore perspectives from Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe on how scientific evidence can be better used to inform policymaking for health at local, regional and global levels.

Mobilise: Transforming health structures through action
7-8.15pm GMT | 6-7.15am AEDT, 11 Nov | 3-4.15am AWST, 11 Nov
Anyone can register here

This’ session explores ways to transform health structures through direct action and system change, whilst examining our participants' judgements towards these methods. Contributions from panellists and the chair aim to inspire participants to envisage ways of mobilising and taking action outside of the session.

Thursday 11 November

Disability, resilience and inclusion in our cities – inclusive design and community-led urban solutions for disability-inclusive climate resilience
9.30-11am GMT | 8.30-10pm AEDT, 11 Nov | 5.30-7pm AWST, 11 Nov
Watch it at the COP26 YouTube channel

A panel discussion considering how inclusive design and innovation can advance climate resilience in cities and the rights of persons with disabilities.

The climate-health nexus: Delivering a virtuous cycle of benefits
1.15-2.45pm GMT | 12.15-1.45am AEDT, 12 Nov | 9.15-10.45pm AWST, 11 Nov
Watch it at the COP26 Resilience Hub

This lightning-talk session will highlight how nature-based, place-based and regenerative solutions can provide climate resilience and improve health and wellbeing outcomes. CAHA Director Fiona Armstrong will speak about the QLD Health and Wellbeing Climate Adaptation Plan.

Our climate, our future – an intergenerational dialogue
2-3.30pm GMT | 1-2.30am AEDT, 12 Nov | 10-11.30pm AWST, 11 Nov
Watch it at the COP26 YouTube channel

Hear from children, youth, mayors, practitioners and organisations focused on child wellbeing in cities, and replicable solutions to tackle the climate health emergency.

Empowering heat action at City Hall: The Chief Heat Officer
7.15-8.45pm GMT | 6.15-7.45am AEDT, 12 Nov | 3.15-4.45am AWST, 12 Nov
Watch it at the COP26 Resilience Hub

The first three Chief Heat Officers in the world will each give a "lightning talk", after which a well-known journalist will moderate a discussion with the CHOs. The CHOs will comment on the kind of challenges they face to advance the heat agenda within and outside City Hall walls.