Climate and health

Our work on climate change reflects the far-reaching issue that it is. We take a long-term approach with our partners to apply a systems lens to climate change and build stronger, more climate-resilient health systems. We build connections across systems and sectors, bringing people together to develop shared solutions and innovations which support people and planet to thrive. We scale innovations which support greater equity and inclusion, and preparedness and response to natural disasters and public health emergencies.

How we’re responding to climate change through our programming

Designing health infrastructure with climate resilience in mind

We work with governments and partners to create and strengthen shock resilient and climate-sensitive health systems and support inclusive, data-driven climate adaptation and mitigation across the health sector.

Enabling clean growth and mitigating environmental risk

We provide advice and support to national and sub-national governments to assess vulnerability to climate change-induced hazards such as flood or fire and mitigate environmental risk, with the needs and rights of the most vulnerable and marginalised populations at the forefront. We adapt policy and national construction guidelines for health infrastructure to ensure that buildings are suitable for projected changes in climatic conditions and support local and global aims to reduce waste and emissions.

Increasing access to clean, reliable and renewable energy and WASH services

We support governments, communities and partners to address energy, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) gaps in the health sector using renewable, energy-efficient solutions. This includes designing financial incentives in the health sector. This reduces the burden on mains systems, enhances climate resilience and reduces carbon emissions and pollution, while also cutting energy-related costs in health facilities.

Convening coalitions and building capacity to use evidence to drive climate action

We build capacity to use data to drive climate action, influence policy, promote clean growth and reduce the health system’s own carbon footprint. We convene coalitions of multi-stakeholder groups across sectors, civil society and community groups for improved awareness and action in the health sector. We build the leadership capacity and agency of stakeholders to use evidence to hold governments to account and ensure resources are used in the best possible way.

Enabling communities in urban centres to thrive

In cities vulnerable to climate change and with growing urban poor populations, we support decision-makers to make evidence-informed decisions to achieve improved health and wellbeing for urban communities. Building healthy cities requires an integrated and coordinated approach across multiple sectors to map and assess city health (disease prevalence, population, health facilities), identify service gaps, and align priorities and budgets.