The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku marked a significant evolution in global efforts to address the climate-health nexus. The establishment of the Baku COP Presidencies Continuity Coalition for Climate and Health represents an ambitious attempt to institutionalize the integration of health into climate action. This coalition, spanning five presidencies, aims to translate prior commitments into impactful outcomes while maintaining momentum for future conferences like COP30.
The success of this initiative will however hinge on the ability to navigate structural barriers, ensuring equitable financing, and strengthening the operational capacity of health systems in vulnerable regions. Analyzing the milestones achieved at COP29 alongside reflections from my professional engagements provides a nuanced perspective on where we stand and what lies ahead.
Coalition building as a continuity mechanism
The creation of the Baku COP Presidencies Continuity Coalition is notable for its potential to sustain focus on health in climate negotiations across presidencies. This structure, co-led by Azerbaijan, Brazil, Egypt, the UAE, and the UK in partnership with the WHO, seeks to bridge gaps in leadership transitions that often disrupt long-term agendas.
The coalition’s objective to drive impactful health outcomes through continuity is a promising step. Its effectiveness will depend on how well it fosters tangible synergies across presidencies and leverages the varying capacities of participating nations. For instance, countries like Egypt and the UAE, which have made significant investments in climate adaptation, may act as catalysts for capacity building in less-resourced regions. Without clear accountability mechanisms, the coalition risks becoming another symbolic gesture without substantive impact.
Operationalizing climate-health financing
One of the cornerstone achievements of COP29 was the formalization of the Guiding Principles for Financing Climate and Health Solutions, which aim to streamline resource mobilization for health resilience. This approach underscores the importance of public-private partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms to address funding gaps, particularly in vulnerable regions like Africa.
Drawing from my experience conducting WASH-related research for Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT), I have seen how limited financing hampers the ability of local institutions to implement climate-resilient interventions. Financing frameworks like those discussed at COP29 must prioritize accessibility for grassroots organizations while maintaining alignment with national strategies. COP29’s emphasis on innovative funding models must now transition into scalable initiatives, ensuring that resources reach areas where the health impacts of climate change are most severe.
Lessons from success stories
One of the strengths of COP29 was the showcasing of success stories that demonstrate the tangible benefits of integrating health and climate strategies. These examples serve as blueprints for replication and scaling. To maximize their impact, it is essential to consider the specific contexts and challenges of regions like Africa and Southeast Asia.
Success stories often illustrate the importance of multilateral and bilateral partnerships, cross-sectoral collaboration, and localized approaches to addressing vulnerabilities. They also highlight the need for sustained investment in health systems and infrastructure that can withstand climate disruptions. These lessons can inform future strategies to ensure global applicability while respecting regional diversity.
Strengthening country-level collaboration
Another significant focus at COP29 was fostering country-level partnerships to translate global commitments into local action. Such collaboration is essential for addressing the unique vulnerabilities of different nations and ensuring that interventions are both effective and sustainable.
My work with Dorcas Aid International, analyzing climate-resilience programming in East Africa and MENA, revealed that effective models often center on localized solutions that address region-specific vulnerabilities. For example, in regions where food insecurity drives poor health outcomes, climate-smart agriculture and integrated food systems can mitigate risk. Lessons from COP29 should be contextualized to ensure they address local realities rather than pursuing one-size-fits-all solutions.
The success of these partnerships will depend on the technical and institutional capacity of participating countries. Capacity-building programs, technical assistance, and knowledge-sharing platforms will be vital to empowering local institutions and actors to implement climate-health initiatives effectively.
Read also: The Climate Prescription: Unpacking The Impact of Climate Change on Health and How We Can Manage It
Addressing systemic gaps
Despite the progress at COP29, systemic challenges persist. One of the key issues is the siloed integration of health into climate policies. The interconnected nature of climate-induced health challenges—such as waterborne diseases, food insecurity, and infrastructure resilience—requires coordinated responses across sectors.
In addition, discussions on financing must address structural inequities to ensure that vulnerable communities are prioritized. Equitable financing mechanisms must focus on reducing disparities in access to health services, particularly for marginalized populations disproportionately affected by climate change.
Looking ahead to COP30
While COP29 made significant strides, the agenda must expand to include underexplored health impacts of climate change. Mental health, for instance, remains a critical yet often overlooked issue. Climate-induced displacement, loss of livelihoods, and trauma from extreme weather events contribute to psychosocial stress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Integrating mental health considerations into climate resilience strategies is essential for addressing this growing concern.
COP29 has laid a solid foundation for advancing the climate-health nexus, but its outcomes must now be tested against implementation realities. The continuity coalition must prioritize the operationalization of its goals, ensuring that health remains a central focus of climate action.
As COP30 approaches, the lessons from Baku emphasize the need for accountability, equitable financing, and stronger partnerships at all levels. Health considerations must be seamlessly integrated into climate policies, not as a secondary concern but as a cornerstone of resilience and adaptation strategies.
The discussions at COP29 represent a turning point in framing climate change as a health crisis. However, success will require sustained political will, resource mobilization, and collaboration. By addressing these gaps, the global community can ensure that health is not just a talking point but a tangible priority in the fight against climate change.
