Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
November 20, 2025 Healthcare
At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) taking place in Belém, Brazil, significant attention was paid to health. The topic was officially included on the agenda. Why is it so important to consider health at climate conferences? Alexandra Egorova, a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) delegation, discussed this in an interview with Denis Popov of the UN Climate Change Secretariat.
Alexandra Egorova: At the World Health Organization, we have long emphasized that health must be at the center of all climate discussions.
We sincerely believe that any agreement and any plans to reduce emissions and improve sustainability must place human health at the center of the discussion. After all, it's people, their lives, safety, and well-being that are at stake. That's why we believe it's so important to give these negotiations a human dimension. Climate policy isn't just about technology or economics; it's first and foremost about public health, especially for those living in high-risk environments.
Furthermore, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, adopted in 1992, contains a crucial article that explicitly states that signatory countries are obligated to integrate health considerations into all their strategies, both adaptation and mitigation. Unfortunately, this commitment remains underfulfilled. And now, when the climate crisis has become a health crisis, we need to bring these principles back to the center of policymaking. The Bilen Health Action Plan, presented here at COP30, reminds countries of these commitments to protect human health and turn words into action.
Denis Popov: You mentioned the Bilensky Action Plan for Health, which was adopted at the 30th UN Climate Change Conference on November 13. What does this plan consist of, and why is it important for participating countries?
AE: The Bilen Action Plan is a key initiative of the Brazilian COP30 Presidency and one of the most practical documents adopted in this area. It shows how countries can make their health systems resilient to climate shocks while also being equitable.
It is based on three lines of action. The first is observation and monitoring to create systems that track how climate affects health and provide early warning of risks.
The second is evidence-based policy and capacity building to help countries implement equitable strategies and prepare the workforce to deal with emerging climate threats.
The third line of action is innovation, manufacturing, and digital health, with a particular focus on green technologies, telemedicine, and sustainable supply chains. It also includes two cross-cutting principles: equity, including climate justice, and leadership, governance, and community engagement.
The document emphasizes that without the participation of local residents, without taking into account gender, income level, or geographic remoteness, adaptation will not be effective.
The plan also stipulates that countries will submit progress reports by COP33, meaning accountability and transparency are built in from the start.
DP: In addition to the Belém Action Plan itself, important announcements were made regarding funding for health and climate change measures. What specific initiatives were presented?
AE: Indeed, this is a significant step forward. International partners have pledged $300 million to implement the Belém Action Plan. Until now, health care accounted for only half a percent of all climate funding. The WHO and experts recommend increasing this figure to at least seven percent of adaptation funds to protect billions of people and keep hospitals open during climate disasters.
Investing in resilient health systems is one of the best investments any country can make.
Implementing this plan will directly impact the lives of ordinary people. The Belém Plan aims to provide the population with access to early warning systems so that people can receive messages such as, "It's hot today, avoid the sun from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM!", "Drink more water!", or "Stay in the shade!"
Healthcare services will be able to respond to disease outbreaks before they get out of control. Hospitals will be able to operate even during floods or power outages. The plan also encourages the creation of "green" hospitals using renewable energy, sustainable supply chains, and eco-friendly technologies, all with the participation of local communities.
The Belém Plan, like many other ongoing initiatives on health and climate change, provides genuine cause for optimism. We finally see scientific data, political will, and concrete tools to turn words into action.
DP: On Friday, November 14, the World Health Organization and the Brazilian Ministry of Health presented two special reports in support of the Belém Action Plan: social participation and the climate-health nexus. What is their key significance for the Conference of the Parties?
AE: Two complementary reports were presented. The first, a special report on climate and health interactions, presents a comprehensive body of evidence and formulates six key findings for health systems. The central message is that climate risk is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable, so flexibility is key to resilience.
Today, only 15% of organizations use climate-smart building standards, and the report highlights the need for long-term planning, updated infrastructure, and new financial mechanisms that enable systems to adapt faster than before.
There are proven solutions across all areas of the Belém Plan, and countries now need to move from strategies to implementation.
The report also warns that no adaptation will be effective without equity and consideration of vulnerable groups, which are largely underrepresented in most studies. At the same time, significant capacity building is needed, as more than 60 percent of national adaptation plans lack mechanisms for evaluating their effectiveness.
Finally, the report emphasizes that a significant increase in funding is needed to implement the Belém Plan and that the most important adaptation measure remains rapid emission reduction, as no health system can remain resilient in the face of global warming.
Reducing emissions in the health sector itself also creates savings that countries can directly reinvest in adaptation.
Crucially, the document provides access to over 70 real-world examples of successful solutions, from early warning systems to sustainable hospital design.
The main conclusion is that action is needed now, and that sufficient solutions are already available. The second document emphasizes community participation, justice, and social truth.
The report highlights that vulnerable and historically marginalized groups are hit hardest and that adaptation will only be successful when communities themselves are actively involved in the design, implementation and monitoring of health measures.
Together, the two reports form a unified path. One offers evidence and tools, the other mechanisms for participation, equity, and leadership at the local level.
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