Global health experts have called on governments participating in the ongoing United Nations climate negotiations in Bonn, Germany, to triple public adaptation financing, warning that millions of people could face worsening health risks if countries fail to invest in climate resilience.
The experts under the umbrella of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, issued a statement on Monday as delegates from around the world gather for the 64th Session of the Subsidiary Bodies of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which began on June 8 and will run until June 18 in Bonn.
The Global health experts said adaptation funding must increase significantly to help countries strengthen health systems, improve access to clean water and sanitation, bolster food security, and prepare for climate-related disasters.
“Governments should commit to increasing public, grant-based adaptation finance to at least $120bn annually by 2035 to help vulnerable communities cope with the growing impacts of climate change,” the statement reads.
Policy Led at the alliance, Jess Beagley, warned that inadequate adaptation funding could undermine efforts to protect public health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries already struggling with climate-related challenges.
“Without adaptation finance, life-saving action to build resilience in the health sector and in health-determining sectors such as water and sanitation, disaster planning, and food systems will be impossible,” she said.
Beagley noted that the consequences could include increased malnutrition, outbreaks of waterborne diseases, greater exposure to extreme weather events, and disruptions in access to healthcare services.
Global health experts have repeatedly warned that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, floods, droughts, storms and disease outbreaks, placing additional pressure on already fragile health systems.
Nigeria and several African countries have in recent years experienced severe flooding, prolonged heatwaves, food shortages and disease outbreaks linked to climate variability.
The alliance also urged wealthy nations to accelerate plans to transition away from fossil fuels, arguing that continued dependence on oil, gas and coal poses serious threats to both human health and the environment.
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Postdoctoral Researcher at the Global Climate and Health Alliance, Nova Tebbe, said scientific evidence shows that expanding fossil fuel production is incompatible with efforts to limit global warming to safe levels.
“The International Energy Agency has made it clear that no new fossil fuel exploration is compatible with a 1.5-degree Celsius world,” Tebbe said.
She added that governments should prioritize access to reliable and affordable clean energy for households, hospitals and healthcare facilities, particularly in underserved communities.
According to her, access to clean energy is essential for improving healthcare delivery, reducing pollution-related illnesses and strengthening resilience against climate shocks.
The experts further expressed concern about the growing health impacts of climate-related loss and damage, saying many deaths, illnesses and social disruptions caused by climate disasters remain poorly documented and inadequately funded.
Policy Coordinator at the alliance, Michele Baker, said governments must develop a comprehensive framework to assess both economic and non-economic losses associated with climate change.
“Climate change is costing health and lives, but these impacts remain broadly untracked at the global level,” Baker said.
She also called for greater accountability regarding financial commitments made under the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, noting that only a portion of pledged funds has been converted into signed agreements or disbursed to affected communities.
According to her, current pledges remain far below what is required to address the growing humanitarian and health consequences of climate change.
Global health experts have increasingly identified climate change as one of the greatest health threats of the 21st century, warning that vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, older persons and low-income communities, face the highest risks.
They maintain that increased investment in climate adaptation, resilient healthcare systems and clean energy infrastructure will be critical to protecting lives and reducing future health emergencies.
The Bonn climate meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for future negotiations ahead of the next United Nations climate conference, where governments will be under pressure to demonstrate stronger commitments to climate action, adaptation financing and public health protection.
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