《COP28气候与健康阿联酋宣言》解读

Interpretation of the COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health

《联合国气候变化框架公约》缔约方会议第28届会议(下文简称COP28,缔约方会议简称COP)将2023年12月3日设为COP历史上首个“健康日”,并在当晚举行的首次“气候-健康部长级对话”上正式公布了《COP28气候与健康阿联酋宣言》(COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health,以下简称《宣言》,https://www.cop28.com/en/cop28-uae-declarationon-climate-and-health)[1].

The COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health marks a historic milestone as the inaugural declaration within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC)to explicitly tackle the intertwined issues of climate change and public health.By December 2023,it has garnered the endorsement of 144 nations.This declaration meticulously elucidates the interconnections between climate change,its mitigation,and public health,offering a strategic and actionable framework for integrating climate and health considerations into policy-making,thereby establishing a robust foundation for incorporating these critical issues into the global climate agenda.The Declaration delineates four critical aspects linking climate change to population health:The direct health impacts of climate change,protective measures for populations with a focus on vulnerable groups,the health benefits derived from climate mitigation,and the development of health systems that are both climate-resilient and low in carbon emissions with eight targets.The Declaration also highlights the significance of financial mechanisms,introducing the COP28 Principles for Climate and Health Financial Solutions,and stresses elevating climate and health issues within existing policies.It integrates the Sustainable Development Goals,the UN’s Universal Early Warning Program,and ongoing initiatives by the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health(ATACH),aligning closely with current global climate governance and sustainable development agendas.Despite the fact that climate and health have not been formally added to the negotiation agenda,the compelling scientific evidence,the widespread impact across various demographic groups,and the direct relevance to ongoing negotiation themes(such as mitigation,adaptation,finance,technology,and international collaboration)signal its potential to become a central topic in future international climate discussions.The adoption and widespread support of the Declaration signify a significant step towards embedding climate and health considerations within the global climate governance framework,transitioning from scientific discourse to policy and action.This shift is anticipated to catalyze a new era of international cooperation and national initiatives against climate change.The principles of climate and health action promoted in the Declaration align with China’s ambitions for high-quality development in public health,meteorology,and related fields.It is advisable for China to seize this opportunity to enhance research and development investment and policy support for mitigating health risks associated with climate change.Promptly formulating a national action plan and supporting policies for climate-related health risks can elevate the significance of climate and health within various sectors,including the CDC and meteorological departments,thereby improving China’s resilience to climate-induced health threats.Furthermore,documenting and sharing China′s advancements in climate and health initiatives,including exemplary cases and technological innovations,can foster international collaboration and contribute to the global endeavor to forge a shared future for humanity.China is encouraged to assign a leading role to its health sector in swiftly developing national and local health adaptation strategies and technical guidelines,integrating climate considerations into essential health domains such as geriatrics,maternal and child health,and infectious disease management.This approach aims to fortify a sustainable and low-carbon healthcare system.The meteorological sector should also enhance its precision in forecasting and responding to climate-induced health risks.Emphasizing health considerations in climate mitigation strategies and initiating research and pilot projects on health-centric emission reduction policies will further this goal.Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration across health,meteorological,environmental,and emergency response departments,and prioritizing climate and health intersections in departmental pilot projects,will amplify the impact of these initiatives.