The Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA) has welcomed Australia’s first National Health and Climate Strategy, launched today at COP28 in Dubai.

As Australia’s peak body on climate and health, CAHA has advocated for a national plan to protect the health and wellbeing of Australians for over a decade. The peak body represents 100+ health organisations and 200+ individual health professionals.

The Strategy released today signals a shift in Australia’s approach to climate change, both domestically and internationally, said CAHA CEO, Philip Cornish.

Mr Cornish said, “We congratulate the government on fulfilling its commitment to develop a National Health and Climate Strategy. Its launch on the global climate stage today demonstrates the legitimate shift in Australian climate policy over the past 18 months.”

“CAHA, its members and its allies should be commended for their persistent advocacy over a decade. This is a huge step forward to protect our health from climate change.”

CAHA Strategic Director Remy Shergill said, “Australia’s health sector is deeply committed to serious climate action. We see climate change right now in our communities, our hospitals and health facilities. The health impacts are broad and insidious, from bodily harm to smoke inhalation, from infectious disease, to mental distress, and more.

“The implementation of the Strategy could not come a moment too soon.

“For the Strategy to protect health, we must see commitment to ambitious governance and the roll out of funding for its implementation. We look forward to continued work with the Commonwealth Government on climate and health issues impacting all Australians.”  

CAHA will be reviewing the Strategy over the coming days, with in-depth analysis to follow. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Remy Shergill, +61 423 075 895, [email protected]