Acting on health and climate

Australia has taken a world-leading stand on the impact of climate change on health by co-sponsoring a groundbreaking resolution at the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva.

3 July 2024

 

WITH more frequent and extreme climate events, climate change presents a serious health and wellbeing challenge to Australians. The World Health Organization has described climate change as the greatest threat to global health this century.

 

The resolution calls on countries to develop and implement national action plans to build climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems, and to adopt a ‘Health in All Policies’ approach of cross-sectoral collaboration.

 

In co-sponsoring the resolution, the Australian Government reaffirmed its commitment to international leadership on the issue. Australia was one of 37 co-sponsor countries, alongside Fiji, Kiribati, Malaysia, Samoa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

 

The World Health Organization has a crucial role in leading global action on climate change and health, which was adopted by all 194 Member States by consensus.

 

Australia’s co-sponsoring comes after Assistant Minister Ged Kearney released the National Health and Climate Strategy at the 28th United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai in December, 2023. The Strategy sets out an ambitious whole-of-government plan aimed at addressing the health and wellbeing impacts of climate change and outlining priorities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the health system.

 

Mr Kearney said, “From extreme heat to more frequent bushfires, climate change is forever changing our environment and how we live. Australia needs a health system that is prepared for these challenges - the world must work together to take action.

 

“Australia is a world leader when it comes to setting clear direction for the health sector in responding to climate change, it makes sense we’re a proud sponsor of this World Health Assembly resolution.

 

“Through close collaboration with our Pacific partners, we are committed to ensuring everyone across our region has access to resilient and sustainable health systems, including through our National Health and Climate Strategy.

 

“While the Liberal and Nationals are trying to pull Australia out of international agreements on climate change, Labor is stepping up at the international stage.”