Climate & Health Explained

Chapter 2: Adaptation to and Mitigation of the Health Risks of Climate Change

In addition to lessening risk, reducing greenhouse gas emissions will produce major health co-benefits, particularly by abating air pollution.

The phase out of polluting energy systems, for example, or the promotion of public transportation and active movement, could both lower carbon emissions and cut the burden of household and ambient air pollution, which cause 7 million premature deaths per year.

Examples of the health co-benefits of climate action

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Increasing combustion efficiency in households cooking with biomass or coal could have climate benefits by reducing climate-altering pollutants and at the same time bring major health benefits among poor populations.

Energy efficiency and reducing reliance on coal for electricity generation not only reduces emissions of greenhouse gases, but also reduces emissions of fine particles that cause many premature deaths worldwide as well as reducing other health impacts from the coal fuel cycle.

Programs that encourage “active transport” (walking and cycling) in place of travel by motor vehicle reduce both climate-altering pollutants emissions and offer direct health benefits.

A major share of greenhouse gas emissions from the food and agriculture sector arises from cows, goats, and sheep—ruminants that create the greenhouse gas methane as part of their digestive process. Reducing consumption of meat and dairy products from these animals may reduce ischemic heart disease (assuming replacement with plant-based polyunsaturates) and some types of cancer.

Programs to provide access to reproductive health services for all women will not only lead to slower population growth and its associated energy demands, but also will reduce the numbers of child and maternal deaths.

In terms of adaptation, health adaptation planning must be integrated into the overall National Adaptation Planning (NAP) process, including through assessing risks; identifying, prioritizing, and implementing adaptation options; and monitoring and evaluating the adaptation process. 

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Vulnerability and adaptation assessments allow countries to assess which populations are most vulnerable to different kinds of health effects, to identify weaknesses in the systems that should protect them, and to specify interventions to respond.

As of 2022, only 48 of 95 countries have completed a climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessment, and in only 9 countries do these strongly influence resource allocation.1 12022 Report of the Lancet Countdown

The single most important step that can be taken to reduce the health impacts of climate change is the acceleration of public health and medical interventions to reduce the present burden of disease – particularly diseases in poor countries related to climatic conditions. 2 2Human health: impacts, adaptation, and co-benefits. In: Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Part A: Global and Sectoral Aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the
Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Priority interventions include improved management of the environmental determinants of health (such as water and sanitation), infectious disease surveillance, and strengthening the resilience of health systems to extreme weather events. Alleviation of poverty is also a necessary condition for successful adaptation. 3 3Human health: impacts, adaptation, and co-benefits. In: Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Part A: Global and Sectoral Aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the
Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

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Addressing the risks of climate change requires action by a range of sectors.

Addressing the risks of climate change requires action by a range of sectors, including urban planning, water, food security and safety, and health systems – each of which are affected by climate shocks and pressures in their own way.

Taking appropriate action to keep people safe and healthy also requires access to the best possible information on the health risks of extreme weather, climate variability, and climate change.

Strengthening the climate resilience of the health sector will increasingly require  evidence-based adaptation and mitigation measures, as well as reliable and robust climate services that provide data and evidence for better decision-making.4 4Human health: impacts, adaptation, and co-benefits. In: Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Part A: Global and Sectoral Aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

What are the limits to adaptation?

While much can be done to reduce the health impacts of climate change, there are limits to health adaptation. For example, the higher-end projections of warming indicate that before the end of the 21st century, parts of the world may experience temperatures that exceed physiological limits during periods of the year, making it impossible to work or carry out other physical activity outside. 5 5Human health: impacts, adaptation, and co-benefits. In: Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Part A: Global and Sectoral Aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the
Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Explore targeted adaptation measures, tools and research in our hazard profiles.

Chapter 3: Climate Services for Health

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