The effects of climate change on human health, though multiple and complex, are becoming increasingly tangible. High temperatures, extreme weather events, and changes in precipitation patterns are causing catastrophic events with significant impacts on citizens’ safety and well-being, as well as numerous indirect effects that influence health determinants such as clean air, access to drinking water, food and housing security, and the transmission of diseases.
For this reason, an increasing number of countries are choosing to work on health and climate change in an intersectional manner. This is the case of Spain, which has launched the Observatory on Health and Climate Change, an intersectoral body that supports the analysis, evaluation, and monitoring of the effects of climate change on health, as well as assists the competent public administrations in this area. Internationally, there is also the ATACH platform, hosted by the World Health Organization, which brings together more than 95 countries that have made ministerial-level commitments to strengthen climate resilience and/or reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their health systems.
In this context, and given the magnitude and impact of these health-related risks, this event will present ministerial and practical experiences showcasing projects and best practices that address public health system management from an intersectoral and climate-oriented perspective..
Objectives
- Highlight the interconnections between climate change and human health, emphasizing the direct and indirect impacts on key health determinants such as air quality, water access, food security, and disease transmission.
- Showcase national and international initiatives—such as Spain’s Observatory on Health and Climate Change and the WHO’s ATACH platform—that promote climate-resilient and low-emission health systems.
- Share best practices and experiences from governments and institutions that are integrating climate action into public health management through intersectoral collaboration.
- Foster dialogue and cooperation among countries and stakeholders to strengthen global health systems’ capacity to respond to climate risks and advance a sustainable, health-centered climate agenda
Moderator
Philippine Ménager. Project Manager Climate and Market Sustainability (ECODES).
Speakers
- Elena Villalobos. Capacity Building and Country Support Lead, Climate Change and Health/ WHO.
- Diana Picon Manyari. International Climate Senior Director in Health Care without Harm.
- Guillermo López Ginés, Counselor for Climate Action / Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB).
- Gerry Eijkemans, Director of the Department of Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity, Pan American Health Organization
- Philippine Ménager. Project Manager Climate and Market Sustainability (ECODES).