- Energy and Climate
- Health
- Press Release
From Risk to Resilience: Unlocking Climate and Health Finance for Local Health Adaptation
- The Africa-Europe Foundation
In the biggest election year in history, new research released today has signified a warning sign from global citizens to leaders. With 91% expressing concern about the health impacts of climate change and 9 in 10 wanting more investment to protect people from the health impacts of climate change, the message is clear: put the climate-health nexus at the forefront of finance priorities.
The results of the research commissioned by Foundation S, Sanofi’s philanthropic organisation, of over 5,000 citizens from Brazil, France, India, Kenya and the US carry a global warning as leaders convene at the 79th UN General Assembly in New York.
● A staggering 82% believe world leaders are not doing enough to adapt to climate change's impacts. This rises in the Global South, where the impacts of climate change on health are currently highest (88% in Brazil, 83% in India and 82% in Kenya).
● Concern around how climate is impacting health is highest among younger generations (96% of 18-24 year olds vs. 78% of 65+ year olds).
● The majority of citizens (87%) think that future generations will have poorer health than current generations due to climate change.
● In Brazil (93%), India (95%), and Kenya (96%), concern about the health impacts of climate change is higher than concern about the effects of war, geopolitical instability, and global economic pressures, despite increasing war in Europe and the Middle East, and a potential economic crisis looming.
These results complement the release of a new report by the Collective MindS Climate x Health Council, led by Foundation S and the Africa-Europe Foundation. The report, published today, is a blueprint for action for world leaders coming out of the UN Summit of the Future, held on 22-23 September, to turbocharge sustainable development goals by bridging siloes in climate and health. In an effort to respond to citizen concerns and address funding gaps, the report outlines concrete steps on how to adapt to the health impacts of climate change, strengthen the resilience of healthcare systems and protect lives by facilitating rapid, flexible funding for locally led health adaptation.
“Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a health crisis that affects us all. Our research highlights a clear demand from the global public for urgent action”
Vanina Laurent-Ledru, Director General of Foundation S, said: “Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a health crisis that affects us all. Our research highlights a clear demand from the global public for urgent action. We must prioritize investments in building healthcare systems that are both climate-proofed and resilient to protect the most vulnerable populations and ensure a resilient future for all. Now is the time for bold leadership and decisive action."
“Today, with the launch of our report, we are providing an operational blueprint for collective action that cuts across siloed sectors of cooperation, unlocks investment in health systems”
Paul Walton, Executive Director of the Africa-Europe Foundation, said “People across our societies are the first to recognise how climate change is having profound impacts on health, economies and overall equity. Today, with the launch of our report, we are providing an operational blueprint for collective action that cuts across siloed sectors of cooperation, unlocks investment in health systems and – critically – protects the lives of the most vulnerable. As the report makes clear, the cost of inaction is greater than the cost of action.”
With less than 5% of climate adaptation finance allocated to projects that protect or improve health, global experts have issued a rallying cry. In an open letter published earlier this week, representatives from the global health community - including H.E. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former President of Liberia, David Miliband, CEO of the International Rescue Committee, and Anil Soni, CEO of the World Health Organization Foundation – warned: “The pace of this crisis is rapidly outrunning efforts to adapt. Over 3.5 billion people already live in areas highly vulnerable to climate change. We need immediate action to help them become more resilient – or we face dire consequences.”
“Existing funding for climate adaptation falls short in addressing health needs, with less than 5% allocated to the health sector. ”
Omnia El Omrani, Health Envoy for COP28 and Former Youth Envoy for COP27 President said: "Existing funding for climate adaptation falls short in addressing health needs, with less than 5% allocated to the health sector. Funding for climate-resilient and sustainable healthcare facilities—essential to responding to the mounting health impacts of climate change on the most vulnerable communities, who have contributed the least to the climate emergency—is urgently and equitably needed."