Moonshot Moment
Why health care is the climate champion | We need right now
Please join us for a behind-the-scenes briefing about Health Care Without Harm’s role at COP26. Front and center this year, and for the first time ever: The health impacts of climate change and the role of health care in leading efforts on decarbonization, climate resilience, and equity.
Tuesday, October 26, 12pm EDT on Zoom
To RSVP please email rsvp@hcwh.org by October 19
Speakers
Josh Karliner, International Director of Program and Strategy
Shweta Narayan, International Climate and Health Campaigner
Gary Cohen, President
The Tipping Point: COP26
Next month, global leaders will meet in Glasgow, Scotland for COP26, perhaps one of the most consequential climate meetings yet. With less than a decade to take meaningful climate action, the commitments made in November will determine if we’ll keep global temperature rise to 1.5ºC — or not.
For the first time at COP, the health sector — national ministries of health and major health care systems — will be stepping up to make big climate commitments, while health professionals who have been battling COVID-19 will be stepping out to make their voices heard louder than ever.
In collaboration with the World Health Organization, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UK COP Presidency, and other global leaders, Health Care Without Harm is playing a leadership role at COP26. From defining best practices in mitigation and community resilience to mobilizing health professionals to advocate for a healthy climate and greater equity, we have been working for decades to bring about this moment. In collaboration with WHO and COP26 leaders, we’re working to secure big commitments for decarbonization and resilience from health systems and national governments — including the Biden Administration and their new Office of Climate Change and Health Equity.
HCWH has helped set the stage for transformational systems change in health care. We have exciting news and insights to share with you about this pivotal moment and what lies ahead.
Why Health Care
The health care sector is a driver of climate change — and a solution for it.
Globally, health care’s climate footprint is 4.4% of net emissions; if the sector were a country, it would be the fifth largest emitter of greenhouse gas pollution in the world. Unsurprisingly, the U.S. health care sector is a major contributor, accounting for 27% of the global health care footprint and 8.5% of all U.S. emissions.
These abstract numbers add up to acute, frontline threats. When climate emergencies hit — hurricanes, wildfires, floods, extreme heat — they challenge the mandate for health care institutions to be the “last buildings standing” as they navigate more frequent and powerful natural disasters, alongside increased disease resulting from fossil fuel pollution.
When health care systems lead on climate — by reducing reliance on fossil fuels, greening their supply chains, supporting local businesses and food producers, and building resilience into everything they do — it has a direct impact on carbon mitigation and health outcomes. These in turn create ripple effects powerful enough to change entire markets, all while improving equitable access to care in emergencies.
Health Care Without Harm has been connecting these dots for 25 years. Join us to learn why health care is poised to lead in securing strong national commitments on reduced greenhouse gas pollution and improved resilience.