Linking Health and Climate Action: Five recommendations for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference from Santa Marta

The elevation of health to a headline item for the Antalya COP builds on the first Health Day marked by a climate COP at last year’s conference in Belém. It also strongly links to outcomes at the historic First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, where a coalition of progressive countries met in Colombia to consult on practical tactics to speed a just energy transition.

In Santa Marta, national representatives, health advocates, and civil society leaders met in a breakout session co-hosted by the Global Climate and Health Alliance, the Lancet Countdown, the Colombian Ministry of Health, and the Friends of Climate and Health. Participants were invited to shape clear, actionable messages on the links between the health sector and the energy transition, which were then forwarded to governments attending the conference.

From their expert input, five pillars emerged that countries and COP 31 should build on to link their health and climate agendas.

1. Move From an “Energy Transition” to a “Systemic Transformation”

Climate action must go beyond the simple substitution of energy sources and advance toward a structural transformation of economic systems that depend on fossil fuels. This requires rethinking current models of production and consumption, while promoting more efficient and sustainable uses of energy both as a resource and as a raw material.

Such an approach should place health, well-being, and equity at the center of the transition, while also acknowledging the pervasive role of fossil fuel–based products across nearly all sectors of modern life and daily consumption.

2. Place Health at the Heart of the Climate and Just Transition Agenda

Health should not be understood only as a co-benefit, but as a central result of the transition. Integrating health metrics and indicators into just transition frameworks strengthens equity, improves the effectiveness of public policies, complements economic analyses, and increases social support for decarbonization measures. In this sense, the transition must be built from a fair, territorialized approach and centred on a concept of well-being for people, communities, and the environment.

3. When Evaluating Health Impacts, Examine the Entire Fossil Fuel Value Chain

National policies should address not only the impacts associated with emissions related to energy use, but also the climate-related health impacts of fossil fuel derivatives, including petrochemicals, plastics, and fertilizers. Their impacts are currently underestimated despite their significant risks.

4. Align Finance, Fiscal Policy, and Evidence With Real Health Costs and Benefits

Decision making must reflect the true socio-environmental and health costs of inaction, as well as the economic and health benefits of action. This involves reforming subsidies, evolving tax systems beyond carbon-only approaches, and integrating health data into investment frameworks. These elements should also be incorporated into subsidy analysis and models used to design roadmaps and prioritize the necessary national transformations.

5. Close Evidence, Communication, and Capacity Gaps to Better Highlight Health

Bridging the gap between technical knowledge and decision making requires greater investment in research, transparent health data systems, decarbonization and climate, and accessible communication. Investing in and strengthening diverse spokespersons—including health professionals and communities—is key to countering climate misinformation and accelerating climate action.