Date : 4/12/2023

Relevance: GS Paper 3 – Environment and Ecology

Keywords: NDCs, Health COP, UNFCCC, Fossil Fuels

Context-

The 28th United Nations Conference of Parties (COP-28) summit, hosted in the UAE, marks a historic moment as it places the climate-health nexus at the forefront of global discussions. For the first time in 28 years of climate change negotiations, the summit introduces a dedicated 'Health Day,' emphasizing the profound impact of climate change on public health. The COP-28 Declaration on Climate and Health, endorsed by 123 governments on December 2, underscores the urgency of addressing issues such as extreme weather events, air pollution, food insecurity, water scarcity, and their implications for vector-borne diseases.

Historical Context:

While health has been acknowledged in previous UN Conference of Parties, this marks the first instance of an official 'Health Day.' The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has recognized the health impacts of climate change in the past, with health-related events occurring at COP for several years. However, the elevation of health to a central focus is a significant shift. The COP-28 summit aims to amplify the dialogue on public health resilience to climate change and determine the financial mechanisms required for this transformation.

Health Day at COP-28:

COP-28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber describes the 'groundbreaking Health Day' as an opportunity to address two pivotal questions: how can public health become resilient to climate change, and who will finance this transformation? The summit, which includes the first-ever health inter-ministerial meeting, brings together ministers of health, environment, finance, and other relevant sectors. While the COP-28 Declaration text is finalized, health ministers are expected to provide supplementary comments during the meeting.

Expectations from Health Talks:

The COP-28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health addresses various aspects, including discussions on emissions reduction, adapting the health sector to climate change, integrating health into climate policies, and the challenging issue of climate financing for health.

Notably, the Declaration does not explicitly mention fossil fuels, which are widely recognized as a major contributor to global climate change. Instead, it highlights the importance of climate mitigation and emphasizes the need for enhanced research on the connections between environmental factors, climate conditions, and antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, the document underscores the necessity of intensified efforts for early detection of zoonotic spill-overs to prevent future pandemics.

Curiously absent from the Declaration are references to the health risks associated with pollution or the explicit identification of 'fossil fuels'—including coal, oil, and gas—as drivers of health threats. Despite this omission, British epidemiologist Sir Andy Haines emphasized during a briefing that committing to phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to renewable energy would be a crucial health outcome. According to Haines, such a transition not only reduces preventable deaths from air pollution but also mitigates the risks associated with dangerous climate change.

Concerns and Challenges:

• A 2023 analysis by the Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA) reveals that most G-20 countries, responsible for the majority of historic greenhouse gas emissions, have not adequately prioritized health in their climate action plans.
• On the contrary, low- and middle-income countries, such as Burundi and Congo, have demonstrated a more robust engagement with health concerns in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• The disproportionate impact of changing weather patterns on marginalized groups, coupled with rising temperatures altering the life cycle of vector-borne diseases, underscores the urgency of integrating health considerations into climate negotiations.

Financial Implications:

• The COP-28 summit recognizes the financial toll of health crises triggered by climate change, estimating an annual cost of $2-4 billion by 2030.
• Furthermore, 40% of climate-related poverty is expected to result from direct health impacts, affecting income, productivity, and health costs. COP-28 President Dr. Al Jaber has called on private financial institutions to contribute generously to the Green Climate Fund.
• A significant development occurred on December 2, with the Green Climate Fund, the Asian Development Bank, the Global Fund, and the Rockefeller Foundation pledging a new $1 billion finance package for climate and health.
• However, questions persist about the nature of this funding, its additionality, and the balance between international public finance and contributions from domestic budgets, multilateral development banks, philanthropies, and the private sector.

India's Perspective:

• In India, particulate air pollution emerges as the "greatest threat to human health," with projections indicating an additional 10 lakh deaths annually by 2090 due to heat-related issues.
• The 2023 GCHA scorecard reveals India's low performance in including clean air in its national climate commitments.
• While India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) focus on reducing emissions intensity, transitioning to non-fossil fuel sources, and creating additional carbon sinks, experts emphasize the need for a holistic approach that weaves health considerations across various domains, including clean water, clean air, and sustainable cities.

Metrics for Success:

As the summit unfolds, the success of COP-28 as a 'Health COP' hinges on several key metrics. Dr. Jeni Miller, Executive Director of GCHA, emphasizes the importance of progress on root causes of climate change, including a commitment to phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to renewable energy. Other critical metrics include a just transition to renewable energy, a commitment to reducing emissions, and the provision of grant-based climate financing.

Conclusion

The COP-28 summit represents a watershed moment in the intersection of climate change and public health, with the dedicated 'Health Day' signaling a paradigm shift in global climate negotiations. While challenges persist, including the need for robust financial commitments and addressing the disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations, the summit provides a unique platform for stakeholders to collaboratively tackle the intertwined challenges of climate change and public health. As the discussions unfold, the world watches closely to assess the true impact and effectiveness of COP-28 in fostering a healthier and more sustainable future.

Source- The Hindu