National climate policies are increasingly recognising the health impacts of climate change, but many countries still lack clear measures to address health-related loss and damage, according to a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre.
Titled “Loss and Damage Beyond Economics: Exploring Health as a Non-economic Loss in National Climate Planning,” the report examines how Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Health National Adaptation Plans (HNAPs) address climate-related impacts on health.
The analysis covers physical and mental health, health systems and services, as well as urban health, vulnerability and climate-induced displacement.
It finds that references to physical and mental health are increasing, particularly in adaptation plans, but health-related loss and damage is not yet fully incorporated into national climate planning.
The report calls for stronger integration of health into climate policies, clearer cross-sectoral approaches, greater attention to mental health and long-term resilience of health systems, and better links between vulnerability assessments and implementation.
