The World Health Organisation says six proven climate and health interventions could save 1.6 million lives annually while generating trillions of dollars in economic and fiscal benefits.
The global health agency disclosed that implementing the measures worldwide could produce $3.9 trillion in annual economic welfare benefits and $5.4 trillion in fiscal gains in a statement released on Wednesday.
According to WHO report, titled Global Benefits and Costs of Prioritised Actions on Climate Change and Health, projects that the interventions could prevent 16.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
The organisation said the proposed measures could prevent one in every 40 deaths globally while helping countries cut carbon emissions and strengthen their economies.
The six recommended interventions include heat-health warning systems, climate-resilient drinking water services, basic sanitation, hygiene and handwashing facilities, cleaner household cooking and heating fuels, and efficient fossil fuel pricing policies.
WHO explained that every dollar invested in five of the interventions could generate an estimated $24 in benefits, with potentially higher returns in low- and middle-income countries.
It identified heat-health warning systems as having the highest return on investment, with an estimated $835 in benefits for every dollar invested.
The report also highlighted efficient fossil fuel pricing policies, including the removal of inefficient subsidies and appropriate taxation of fossil fuels, as the interventions with the greatest overall impact.
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According to the agency, these policies alone could prevent 1.2 million deaths annually, generate $3 trillion in economic welfare benefits and deliver $5.4 trillion in fiscal gains.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, described the climate crisis as a health emergency, noting that many of its harmful effects could be addressed through existing and affordable solutions.
“The climate crisis is a health crisis, but much of the harm it causes can be prevented with tools we already have,” he said.
Ghebreyesus stressed that expanding the implementation of proven interventions could save millions of lives, particularly in countries facing the greatest challenges.
He urged governments to make health protection a priority as they prepare for the next round of international climate negotiations.
The report, released ahead of COP31, called on governments, development partners and financial institutions to invest in the recommended measures to tackle health risks associated with climate change.
It also emphasised the importance of implementing the interventions across the health sector and other areas to anticipate, prevent and minimise the health consequences of climate change.
The WHO director-general said the assessment examined the health, environmental, economic and fiscal implications of the measures, including their effects on mortality, greenhouse gas emissions, productivity and government revenue.
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