Over 120 countries back COP28 UAE Climate and Health Declaration delivering breakthrough moment for health in climate talks

The COP28 Presidency، in partnership with the World Health Organization and UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention، unveiled the ‘COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health’ to place health at the heart of climate action and accelerate the development of climate-resilient، sustainable and equitable health systems.

A set of new finance commitments on climate and health was announced to back up these political commitments، including a USD 300 million commitment by the Global Fund to prepare health systems، USD 100 million by the Rockefeller Foundation to scale up climate and health solutions، and an announcement by the UK Government of up to GBP 54 million. The Declaration is announced ahead of the first ever Health Day at a COP and joins a series of announcements made during the World Climate Action Summit to keep 1.5C within reach.

The growing health impact

Endorsed by 123 countries، the Declaration marks a world first in governments acknowledging the growing health impacts of climate change on communities and countries. It also acknowledges the large benefits to people’s health from stronger climate action، including by reducing air pollution and lowering health care costs.

For the first time، Health Ministers are attending the annual UN climate conference alongside their peers from Environment Ministries. This signals a shift in how climate policies are considered، with a stronger focus on the social implications of government decisions.

The announcement comes as annual deaths from polluted air hit almost 9 million، heat-related illness and death on the rise، and as 189 million people are exposed to extreme weather-related events each year.