Asia-Pacific Health Systems: Low-Carbon & Climate Resilience
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Asia-pacific Nations Pledge Action on Climate-resilient Healthcare
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Delegates from over 20 Asia-Pacific countries convened at the inaugural Western Pacific Action Forum to address the impact of climate change on health systems and commit to enduring practices. The forum, held September 18, 2024, underscored the urgent need to reduce healthcare’s environmental footprint and build resilience against climate shocks.
Last updated: September 19, 2024, 05:57:32 UTC
Forum Highlights and participating Nations
The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries in the Asia-Pacific region to prioritize sustainable healthcare practices, noting that the health sector contributes nearly 5% of global emissions. this call to action was central to the Western Pacific Action Forum on Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Health Systems, which aimed to secure governmental commitments to integrate low-carbon strategies into national health planning.
The forum,co-hosted by the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office and the Center for Sustainable Medicine at the National University of Singapore,drew delegates from the following countries,as of September 18,2024:
- Australia
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- China
- Cook Islands
- Fiji
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Lao PDR
- Malaysia
- Marshall Islands
- Micronesia
- Mongolia
- New Zealand
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
The Climate-Health Nexus in the Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region is notably vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change,including increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events,rising sea levels,and changes in infectious disease patterns. These factors exacerbate existing health challenges and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
Cambodia, for example, has already recognized the impact of climate change on health in its Nationally Determined Contribution, outlining five priority actions for adaptation. WHO reports that this includes protecting children and the elderly.