World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus says climate change is already driving illnesses, disrupting essential health services and exposing health workers to increasing risks.

Mr Ghebreyesus said in a statement on Monday that the climate crisis was a health crisis, stressing that its impacts were no longer distant threats but realities affecting communities worldwide.

He identified heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires and air pollution as growing challenges increasingly confronting healthcare facilities and threatening the delivery of essential services.

Speaking at the COP31 Health Day media conference on Monday, he said health considerations should drive global climate action.

“I identified three urgent priorities, including strengthening health systems against climate-related emergencies, translating existing plans into action and increasing investment in proven climate and health interventions.

“Countries must develop resilient health facilities capable of maintaining operations during extreme heat, floods and storms, supported by reliable electricity, water and effective early warning systems,” he said.

He added that resilient supply chains and adequately trained and equipped health workers were essential to ensuring effective responses to climate-related emergencies.

Mr Ghebreyesus said countries must move beyond developing climate and health plans to implementing them, noting that inadequate financing, capacity and coordination remained major obstacles.

“Addressing climate-related health challenges requires collaboration beyond health ministries, as decisions on energy, transport, food, water, housing and urban planning directly affected public health.

“Ministries of health, finance, environment and energy must jointly plan and allocate resources, while integrating health priorities into national adaptation plans and climate commitments,” he said.

Mr Ghebreyesus said increased financing for proven climate and health interventions could save lives, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen national economies. He described climate action as an investment in healthier populations, resilient communities and stronger economies rather than merely an additional financial burden.

Mr Ghebreyesus said the Antalya Initiative for Health Resilience would help countries translate these priorities into practical actions by documenting successful interventions and promoting knowledge-sharing.

He explained that the initiative would complement WHO’s Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH), which brings countries and partners together to develop, renew and report climate-health commitments.

According to him, the Antalya Initiative would provide an additional platform for countries to exchange experiences and learn how to implement successful interventions in different settings.

He said lessons from the initiative would continue through ATACH beyond COP31, enabling countries to keep sharing experiences and accelerating climate-health action.

Mr Ghebreyesus described the Belém Health Action Plan as an important framework, urging countries to make COP31 a turning point for accelerated implementation. He called on governments to strengthen climate resilience across their health systems and share successes and setbacks to help other countries learn.

He also urged climate negotiators and development financiers to make health an explicit consideration in climate-related decisions and financing arrangements.

The WHO chief further called on governments to recognise health as a compelling justification for climate action, highlighting the immediate benefits of cleaner air, healthier food and safer cities.

He reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting countries in translating climate commitments into practical measures that protect populations and strengthen health systems.

(NAN)