A Just Energy Transition for a healthy fossil fuel free world

The document outlines the extensive health benefits of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy, emphasizing that such a shift must be 'just' by focusing on the most vulnerable and remediating past damages. It identifies significant reductions in premature deaths from air pollution and occupational hazards, while highlighting opportunities for improved healthcare access and urban wellbeing. The briefing proposes three core principles—inclusive decision-making, health impact tracking, and nature restoration—and provides policy recommendations on redirecting fossil fuel subsidies, integrated ministerial planning, and prioritizing clean cooking solutions.

• Transitioning to a fossil fuel-free society can prevent millions of annual premature deaths caused by air pollution, particularly from noncommunicable diseases, and eliminate occupational health risks for oil, gas, and coal workers.
• Fossil fuel-based energy systems are the primary driver of global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for nearly 75% of the total.
• Air pollution from fossil fuels is linked to significant mortality; the WHO estimates 7 million annual deaths from air pollution, while other research suggests fossil fuels alone may cause 8 million deaths.
• Clean energy access can directly improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations by powering medical cold storage for vaccines and lighting in health facilities, while reducing household injuries and respiratory disease from traditional cookstoves.
• A just transition requires a fundamental shift in finance, specifically redirecting the US$607 billion spent on global fossil fuel subsidies in 2021 toward renewable energy and health protection for low-income groups.
• The document recommends that all mining and processing for renewable energy minerals must adhere to strict health and social standards, including mandatory health impact assessments throughout the lifecycle of the minerals.

APA

Global Climate and Health Alliance (2022). A Just Energy Transition for a healthy fossil fuel free world. https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/HCN-A-Just-Energy-Transition-for-a-healthy-fossil-fuel-free-world.pdf

Chicago

Global Climate and Health Alliance. A Just Energy Transition for a healthy fossil fuel free world. 2022. https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/HCN-A-Just-Energy-Transition-for-a-healthy-fossil-fuel-free-world.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Global Climate and Health Alliance |title=A Just Energy Transition for a healthy fossil fuel free world |date=September 2022 |url=https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/HCN-A-Just-Energy-Transition-for-a-healthy-fossil-fuel-free-world.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{globalclimateandhealthalliance2022just, author = {{Global Climate and Health Alliance}}, title = {{A Just Energy Transition for a healthy fossil fuel free world}}, institution = {Global Climate and Health Alliance}, year = {2022}, month = sep, url = {https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/HCN-A-Just-Energy-Transition-for-a-healthy-fossil-fuel-free-world.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }