The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the world’s foremost international climate summit. At COPs, world leaders gather to work together on solutions to tackle climate change. There are now 198 Parties to the Convention, constituting near universal UN membership.

Climate change is a global challenge. Collaborative approaches and collective agreement are required to develop, adopt, and implement effective, expedient policies at all scales. 

Most United Nations forums address climate change or include its risks in their scope of work. Global environmental agreements generally feature climate change prominently. The UN General Assembly (UNGA), the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), and the World Health Assembly (WHA), all periodically adopt resolutions related to climate change. 

The central body influencing global governance of climate change is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which is a decision-making forum of 197 countries. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which functions as a global repository on climate change knowledge, informs UNFCCC intergovernmental negotiations on policy-relevant science. At its establishment in 1992, the UNFCCC recognized the linkage between climate change and adverse impacts to human health. (UNFCCC Article 1) 

However, the primary objective of negotiations under the UNFCCC is to address mitigation of anthropogenic emissions that drive climate change – or, as written in in the treaty, to achieve “the stabilization of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system”. (UNFCCC Article 2) 

Over the last 30 years, the inherent link between the stabilization of greenhouse gas emissions and health promotion has not been fully realized or valued in an intergovernmental, interdisciplinary, or comprehensive way. (1)  

The stabilization and reduction of greenhouse gases will promote health and positive health outcomes, including on food security and nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and air quality and exposure to pollutants. When designed well, climate policies can play a significant role in protecting and promoting public health.

A few health references are incorporated into the framework agreement of the UNFCCC and the international environmental law of the Paris Agreement. 

• The 1992 framework of the UNFCCC recognized that climate change has an ‘adverse effect’ on human health (Article 1) and referenced the need for countries to minimize adverse effects on public health (Article 4.1.f).
• Parties to the UNFCCC strengthened the rights-based approach to global climate policy in the Paris Agreement in 2015, by deciding to recognize the UN human right to health in its Preamble.
• Both the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement have specific provisions on food production and agriculture, firmly anchoring climate policy to the global health, food, and nutrition agenda.

In a historic milestone marking the inaugural Health Day at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), global leaders united in endorsing the COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health, sounding the alarm on the severe health implications of climate change. Emphasizing the critical role of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, the declaration underscores the urgent need to confront the connections between climate change and health.

• COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health
• A COP29 for People and Planet: Recommendations from the International Health and Climate Community (Global Climate and Health Alliance, 2024)

E-Course: Climate Change Negotiations and Health

• COP29 Official Website
• WHO Health at COP29 site
• WHO Health Pavilion
• UNFCCC COP29 site

This page was developed by the WMO-WHO Joint Office for Climate and Health to feature health-relevant resources and information for COP29 delegates and other interested parties.

The inclusion of information or resources on this webpage does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of their accuracy, completeness, or reliability by WMO, WHO, COP28 or other partners. The resources are included solely for informational purposes. We are not responsible for the accuracy, timeliness, or relevance of the information contained on this page. Users are encouraged to exercise their own judgment and verify the information.
This page may contain links to external websites or resources not controlled by WMO, WHO or COP28. We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or security of these external sites.

The Joint Office may update or remove resources from this page without notice. We are not obligated to maintain any specific content or resource on this page.

Questions and concerns can be directed to admin@climahealth.info