The global deployment of six measures to limit the health effects of climate change could prevent 1.56 million deaths annually, while also generating substantial economic benefits, according to a WHO study published Wednesday.
The study, published a few days before COP31, even boasts of a "« triple dividend »"Resulting from these actions: a healthier population, reduced emissions and stronger economies.
These measures include the implementation of heat-related health alert systems, climate-resilient drinking water and sanitation systems, improved hand hygiene, the use of cleaner domestic energy sources, and effective fossil fuel pricing.
Combined, these devices could, in addition to saving lives, prevent 16.67 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions each year.
They would also potentially generate a benefit of nearly $4 trillion annually in terms of economic well-being (financial impact of lives saved, disasters avoided, savings in care…) and up to some $5.44 trillion in budgetary benefits.
According to these projections calculated in 187 countries over the period 2024-2075, the system concerning health alert systems related to heat presents the best cost/benefit ratio with $836 raised for every dollar invested, according to the organization's estimates.
But it is fossil fuel pricing policies that would have the most significant impact. They alone would account for 1.2 million deaths and 981,300 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions avoided each year, alongside substantial budgetary benefits for governments.
COP31 and health
“ The world must identify, prioritize, and implement solutions to prevent loss of life and protect communities from climate-related harm.«" urged WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, quoted in the report.
“ Solutions exist (…) and are ready to be deployed globally«" he added, referring to a "« Exceptional opportunity“.
The organization emphasizes that low- and middle-income countries could derive proportionally greater benefits from these measures than rich countries, both in terms of health and economic well-being.
While acknowledging potential limitations of this study related to ambitious scenarios, the lack of certain data, and the uncertainties of such projections, the WHO states that these assessments "« show that investments in proven climate and health measures »can yield valuable profits.
The organization is therefore calling on governments to invest in measures that reconcile climate and health, by integrating health issues into their climate policies and accelerating their implementation.
With this in mind, Mr. Tedros will attend COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, next week to "« encourage countries to include health in negotiations«" Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, head of climate change issues at the WHO, told the press in Geneva.
English 
French