Speech - Opening at a high-level side event on health as central to climate change action, Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

His Serene Highness Prince Albert,
Honourable Minister Marisol Touraine,
Honourable State Secretaries and Heads of Agencies,
Sir David King,
Colleagues from Geneva,
Ladies and Gentlemen

Climate change is the defining issue of the 21st century and an important issue on our new development agenda. This is a decisive moment in time. The governments of all the countries of the world are here together to finalize a universal, credible agreement, with strong commitment to halt further deterioration of the climate. This is critical to public health.

"The fight against climate change is more than just an environmental question" were the words of Honourable Minister Fabius when opening this Conference. He said, "It is essential for nourishing our people, for water on earth, safeguarding biodiversity, protecting our health, fighting against poverty and massive migration, avoiding war and encouraging peace, and giving a chance to development." 

Climate change has a serious adverse effect on human health, economic prosperity, political stability and social productivity. And Europe is not spared. 70 000 deaths occurred in 12 European countries in 2003 as a result of a heat wave, and it was this country, France, that faced the most severe consequences: several thousand people died within a week. Hospitals and mortuaries were overcrowded. Health professionals had no cure. Some of the dead people were found days and even weeks later, highlighting some of the social dilemmas of our time. Experts anticipate that more of this is to come. 

The good news is that the agreement reached here could potentially save lives worldwide. Investments in low-carbon development, clean renewable energy and greater climate resilience are also investments in better health. For example:

  • Measures that reduce air pollution, as well as non-CO2 air pollutants such as black carbon, can reduce the number of deaths due to pollution, which are now 7 million globally, with around 600 000 deaths in the WHO European Region. 
  • Reform of global energy subsidies could reduce CO2 emissions by more than 20%, cut the number of premature deaths due to air pollution by more than half, and raise government revenues by nearly US$ 3 trillion.
  • Enforcing higher standards for vehicle emissions and engine efficiency could reduce emissions of short-lived climate and air pollutants, saving around 2.4 million lives a year and reducing global warming by about half a degree Celsius by 2050.
  • Reducing the 4.2% of annual CO2 emissions of European health care could eliminate 15 000 to 30 000 cases of illness. 

The other good news is that regional initiatives can significantly contribute to global implementation: 

  • The European Environment and Health Process provides an ideal platform. It brings together the ministries of health and of the environment of the 53 European Member States. It has produced a protocol on water and health, action on transboundary air pollution and a pan-European initiative on transport, environment and health. Three ministerial declarations have been issued, calling for further action on climate change and health. 
  • More recently, a working group on health in climate change was created. As a result, 32 countries examined their vulnerability to climate change-related health threats, and 24 prepared adaptation plans including health. While most countries in the Region have taken action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (also reflected in the INDCs), more needs to be done to capitalize on the health co-benefits of energy, transport, building and agriculture. 

Ladies and gentlemen, let me assure you that I and my staff are doing our part. For example, WHO, in collaboration with the UNFCCC secretariat and other partners, launched the first set of climate change and health country profiles. We have developed methods and tools and support preparedness and response to emergencies. We build capacity in our Member States to improve resilience to climate change. And we provide evidence for standards and normative guidance. There is still much more for us to do. 

Just a few months ago, when setting the Sustainable Development Goals, world leaders envisaged a world free of poverty, hunger and disease, a world free of fear and violence. 

We hope that the current negotiations will fully exploit this opportunity to protect the planet's most value resource: its people.