It's Health Day at COP28
December 3 is the first ever Health Day in COP history, and will focus on five key topics:
- Showcasing evidence base and clear impact pathways between climate change and human health
- Promoting "health arguments for climate action" and health co-benefits of mitigation
- Highlighting needs, barriers and best practices for strengthening climate resilience of health systems
- Identifying and scaling adaptation measures to address the impacts of climate change on human health
- Taking action at the nexus of health and relief, recovery and peace
Good climate policy is good health policy
A healthy climate for people and planet: Revitalising Australia’s domestic policy ahead of COP28
Climate and Health Alliance
November 2023
This policy platform presents a series of recommendations for the Australian Government to embed impactful climate and health policy, prepared ahead of COP28.
2023 Healthy NDC Scorecard
Global Climate and Health Alliance
2023
This recent paper evaluates the ‘healthiness’ of 58 countries’ NDCs. Australia was rated 0 out of 18 for a failure to mention health in any way. This demonstrates just how far we have to go in adopting a ‘health in all policies’ approach that recognises the benefits of action on climate and health.
Fact sheet: Climate action is good for your health
Climate and Health Alliance
February 2022
Climate action has many great benefits for our health. We can all take these actions to benefit our health and the health of the environment around us. Win-win!
Communication and advocacy
Real, Urgent & Now: Communicating the health impacts of climate change
Climate and Health Alliance
May 2021
This Communication Guide is intended to help health professionals to speak with confidence about climate change and health, promote actions which reduce emissions and improve health, and advocate for climate action.
Health Messages from the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report
Climate and Health Alliance, Global Climate and Health Alliance & Health-Climate Network
March & May 2022
These short reports summarise the findings relevant to health and wellbeing from the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report.
Fact sheet: 10 ways to act on climate change
Climate and Health Alliance
December 2021
Here is a short guide to acting on climate change as a health professional, in your community and as an individual.
Sustainable healthcare
Reports
A Review of Sustainable Healthcare
Climate and Health Alliance & Monash Sustainable Development Institute
June 2022
This review provides background information, context, and relevant evidence to support an understanding of the safety and quality risks facing the Australian healthcare sector.
Global Road Map for Health Care Decarbonization
Health Care Without Harm and Arup
June 2022
Taking on climate change requires climate-smart health care to be a central part of the solution. This Road Map aims to help chart a global course in that direction.
Planning and guidelines
Sustainability planning from the health sector from Australia and around the world.
- Caring for people and planet: Mercy Health’s strategic response to Laudato Si’ 2020-25
- WA South Metropolitan Health Service: Environmental sustainability strategy 2023-26
- Queensland Health climate risk strategy and planning guidance
Case studies
- Reduction in nitrous oxide at Southern Cross Healthcare
- Reducing single use plastic at South West Healthcare
- Culturally appropriate menus at Fiona Stanley Hospital
- Diverting recycling from landfill at Brisbane Day Surgery
Videos
Hunter New England Health District (NSW, Australia) shares how they used a top-down and bottom-up strategy to gather commitment to a “whole-of-district” sustainability strategy, with a goal to achieve carbon and waste neutrality by 2030.
