Many countries ‘unsupported and unprepared’ to address climate health risks: WHO

2021 WHO Health and Climate Change Global Survey ReportOf the T, which covers 95 countries, only around a quarter are able to fully implement national health and climate change plans or strategies.

Other major obstacles to progress include COVID-19 pandemic, as well as insufficient human resources.

biggest threat to health

The report was launched at the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, which aims to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. Paris Agreement.

Dr. Maria Neera, WHO The Director of Environment, Climate Change and Health said the survey shows how many countries are left “unsupported and unprepared” To tackle the health effects of climate change.

“We are here at COP26 to urge the world to better support countries in need, and to make sure we do a better job of protecting people from the greatest threats to human health today.” He said.

a clear case

The report was first published in 2019 and this second edition provides a valuable snapshot of the overall progress made by governments in addressing the health risks of climate change.

For Dr. Neera, the “health rationale” for increased climate action is very clear, as it is the most disadvantaged groups in society who are at greatest risk, such as ethnic minorities, poor communities, displaced people, older persons. and women and children.

“For example, about 80 percent of deaths from air pollution could be avoided if current air pollution levels were reduced to the WHO air quality guidelines,” she said.

challenges to progress

According to the report, inadequate finance remains the biggest challenge facing countries. Nearly 70 per cent have described it as a major hurdle, up from 56 per cent two years ago.

Human resource constraints came second, with nearly a third of countries identifying “lack of interregional cooperation” as a major obstacle.

At the same time, COVID-19 has slowed progress toward addressing climate change, as healthcare workers and resources have had to be diverted in response to the pandemic. The WHO said the crisis continues to threaten efforts to plan and prepare for climate-related impacts on health.

remove obstacles

The report also pointed to positive developments, as more than three-quarters of the countries surveyed have, or are preparing, national health and climate change plans or strategies.

“The challenge now is to remove the barriers that are preventing countries from finalizing and implementing plans,” Tara Neville, technical officer for the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health and lead author of the survey report.

About 85 percent of countries now have a designated focal point for health and climate change located in their health ministries. Additionally, 54 percent of health ministries have established relevant task forces, committees or other “stakeholder mechanisms”.

Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds of countries have made a climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessment, or are undergoing one, while nearly all, 94 percent, have included health in their climate ambition plans, known as NDCs, under Paris. related ideas are included. a settlement.

However, the report also drew attention to what the WHO calls “a potentially missed opportunity” to optimize the health benefits of adaptation and mitigation efforts in other areas.

The UN agency said these could add to a positive post-pandemic recovery, as the issues that determine health – such as education, equity, gender, urban planning and even the transport system – was represented in less than half of the established multi-sectoral. Tools at the disposal of Govt.