COP26: Countries decide to adopt climate-resilient health systems

World Health Organization (Who is theOn Monday (8), it was announced that a group of 47 countries had pledged to develop Low carbon health systems And able to withstand climate Under COP26. The decision is a response to mounting evidence of the impact of climate change on people’s health. Brazil is not on the list.

Of these 47 countries, some are the countries most vulnerable to damage to health from climate change, as well as some of the world’s largest carbon emitters. Of this total, 42 have also committed to transforming their healthcare systems to more sustainable, low-carbon models, and 12 have set a target date of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 or earlier.

The commitments were made as part of COP26 Health Program, a partnership between the government United kingdomand the World Health Organization UNFCCC Climate Champions on climate change (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and health groups such as Harmless health care.

“The future of health must be built on health systems that are resilient to the effects of epidemics, epidemics and other emergencies, but also to the effects of climate change, including extreme weather events and the increasing burden of various diseases associated with air pollution,” said the Director-General of the World Health Organization: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

According to Ghebreyesus, healthcare systems must also be part of the solution, reducing carbon emissions.

Among the countries that have committed to achieving sustainable, low-carbon health systems ArgentinaAnd FijiAnd MalawiAnd SpainAnd The United Arab Emirates NS United State. Among those who have pledged to increase the resilience of their health systems to climate change BangladeshAnd EthiopiaAnd the moldive Islands NS Dutch.

The countries’ commitments come from a World Health Organization survey, released this week, which shows most countries are now including health in their national climate plans. Paris AgreementHowever, these plans often lack detailed health procedures or support mechanisms.

In addition to national commitments, 54 institutions from 21 countries, representing more than 14,000 Hospitals NS health centersJoin UNFCCC Race to Zero and commit to achieving net zero emissions.

Record number of health leaders attend COP26, and more than 45 million health professionals, representing two-thirds of the world’s health workforce, have signed a letter urging governments to take stronger action, noting that “hospitals, clinics and communities around the world are already working to respond to the damage to health.” due to climate change.”