WHA78 and the Climate-Health Intersection: Progress, Gaps, and Way Forward

The report evaluates WHA78 as a period of broadening dialogue and significant policy adoption, notably the Global Action Plan on Climate and Health (GAP) and the first pandemic agreement. While it celebrates the inclusion of youth, persons with disabilities, and mental health in the agenda, it highlights critical shortcomings, including the absence of fossil fuel phase-out language and uncertainties regarding the implementation and funding of the GAP. The document advocates for a shift in narrative, framing climate action as a strategic health investment rather than a cost, and calls for greater inclusion of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the Global South in leadership and R&D.

• The scope of climate and health dialogue at WHA78 expanded to include increased events on air pollution, extreme heat, just transition, and plastics pollution, with a notable shift in youth engagement from 'symbolic representation towards substantive leadership'.
• WHA78 saw the adoption of the world's first pandemic agreement and the Global Action Plan on Climate and Health (GAP). The GAP is structured around leadership, coordination, advocacy, evidence, monitoring, and country-level capacity-building to implement the WHA77 resolution on climate change and health.
• Member states established a first voluntary global target to reduce air-pollution health impacts by half by 2040 and adopted the Integrated Lung Health Resolution to address respiratory diseases.
• Two resolutions were adopted to strengthen action against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), specifically focusing on skin diseases and the eradication of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease), noting that several skin NTDs are climate-sensitive.
• The adoption of the GAP faced political pushback from countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Russia, Bahrain, and Venezuela, who sought postponement for further consultations on equity and financial feasibility. Additionally, the UK, Germany, Australia, and Japan objected to language regarding Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capacities (CBDR-RC).
• Significant gaps remain in the WHA78 outcomes, most notably the complete absence of any mention of phasing out fossil fuels, which is described as a human rights issue due to unequal health impacts on the Global South and vulnerable populations.
• Implementation of the GAP is hindered by vague financial details—referencing a $161 million budget without clear allocation or timeframe—and the lack of jurisdiction health ministries have over mitigation sectors like energy and transport.

APA

Deivanayagam, A., Massazza, A., Kirk, A., Bhandari, C., Lawless, F., Marcus, H., Blom, I., Stanton, R., & Datta, R. (n.d.). WHA78 and the Climate-Health Intersection: Progress, Gaps, and Way Forward. Global Climate and Health Alliance. https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Membership-report_updated-name.pdf

Chicago

Deivanayagam, Abi, Alessandro Massazza, Aoife Kirk, Chhavi Bhandari, Fiona Lawless, Hannah Marcus, Iris Blom, Rachael Stanton, and Rittika Datta. WHA78 and the Climate-Health Intersection: Progress, Gaps, and Way Forward. Global Climate and Health Alliance, n.d. https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Membership-report_updated-name.pdf.

Wikipedia

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BibTeX

@techreport{deivanayagamndwha78, author = {Deivanayagam, Abi and Massazza, Alessandro and Kirk, Aoife and Bhandari, Chhavi and Lawless, Fiona and Marcus, Hannah and Blom, Iris and Stanton, Rachael and Datta, Rittika}, title = {{WHA78 and the Climate-Health Intersection: Progress, Gaps, and Way Forward}}, institution = {Global Climate and Health Alliance}, url = {https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Membership-report_updated-name.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }