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The document details the severe health impacts of the fossil fuel lifecycle, emphasizing that air pollution linked to fossil fuels causes over 80% of pollution-related deaths. It highlights the disproportionate burden on vulnerable groups—including children, women, the elderly, and racialized communities—and advocates for a managed phase-out of oil, gas, and coal to save millions of lives and reduce healthcare costs. The brief provides case studies from Argentina, India, the USA, and China to illustrate these harms and the benefits of decommissioning coal plants. It concludes with specific policy recommendations for city and national governments to transition toward renewable energy and protect public health.

The document examines the consequences of the US aid freeze and the shutdown of USAID for Nigeria, specifically focusing on the risks to public health and poverty levels. Using International Futures (IFs) modelling, it predicts that the reduction in aid could push 700,000 additional Nigerians into extreme poverty by 2030 and shrink the economy by US$237 million. The health sector is identified as the most vulnerable area, particularly the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. The author argues that while the abrupt cut is harmful to the destitute, it serves as a necessary wake-up call for the Tinubu administration to increase domestic funding for essential services, noting that other bilateral donors are unlikely to fill the gap due to their own budget cuts for defence.

Global Witness reports that Veolia may be causing severe health complications, including congenital malformations, by pumping toxic leachates from a landfill into a protected Colombian wetland. Secret videos and sediment tests showing mercury levels 25 times higher than safe Canadian limits contradict Veolia's claims of environmental compliance. The contamination threatens the drinking water of 300,000 people in Barrancabermeja and impacts the Ciénaga San Silvestre ecosystem. The report also highlights the danger faced by environmental defenders in the region and argues for the strength of the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) to hold multinationals accountable.

Global Witness reports that Veolia is discharging untreated toxic leachate from a landfill into protected wetlands in Colombia, with sediment analysis showing mercury levels 25 times higher than safety limits. The report links this pollution to congenital malformations in the local population and the degradation of the San Silvestre swamp, which provides drinking water for up to 300,000 people in Barrancabermeja. While Veolia denies causality and claims its internal controls show no mercury, independent experts argue the company's sampling methods were flawed. The document also highlights the extreme danger faced by environmental defenders in the Santander region and argues that the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive is essential for holding such companies accountable.

Egypt's Fourth National Communication details the country's climate vulnerabilities, particularly regarding water scarcity and sea-level rise, and outlines a strategic framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 24% by 2030 compared to business-as-usual levels. The report emphasizes a transition toward a green economy through the Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy 2035, aiming for a 42% share of renewables by 2035, and the implementation of extensive adaptation measures in agriculture, coastal zones, and public health. It also highlights the critical impact of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on water security and the need for enhanced international climate finance and technology transfer.

The report finds that an increasing number of Americans perceive global warming as a threat to public health, specifically identifying heat stroke, air pollution, and respiratory issues as growing risks. While 39% believe global warming harms the health of Americans generally, only 16% feel it harms their own health. There is growing recognition of disproportionate impacts on low-income people and people of color. Regarding energy, coal and nuclear power are viewed as the most harmful to health, though perceptions of wind and solar as harmful have slightly increased. Trust in first responders, primary care physicians, and climate scientists remains high as sources of health-related climate information.

The authors advocate for 'nexus solutions' that provide multiple benefits across climate, nature, and human health, citing clean cooking as a primary example of a 'triple-win' intervention.

A case study in Bharatpur, Nepal, identifies dengue fever and skin infections as prevalent infectious diseases, linked to poor waste management and inadequate sanitation. While nature-based solutions like green streets and rainwater harvesting can mitigate hazards by filtering water and reducing temperatures, the study concludes that NBS cannot replace essential urban infrastructure and services to improve public health outcomes.

In February 2025, Brazil experienced a record heatwave where temperatures reached up to 44°C, affecting over 170 million people. The event, linked to climate change, caused significant public health strain in Rio de Janeiro, water shortages in favelas, and school delays in Rio Grande do Sul.

A letter from CAPE Nova Scotia physicians warning the provincial government that repealing bans on fracking and uranium mining would cause severe health harms, including increased cancer and birth defect rates, and contradict the province's climate goals.

Analysis of 232 U.S. cities shows that 91% have experienced a long-term decrease in freezing nights since 1970, with an average reduction of 15 nights. This trend is most pronounced in the West, Northeast, and Southwest, and is attributed to climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels. While fewer freezing nights may reduce acute cold-exposure risks and home heating costs, the trend threatens snow-fed water supplies, winter recreation economies, and fruit crop yields that require winter chill, while potentially expanding the range of disease-carrying pests.

The document outlines strategies to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission trucks (ZETs) through demand, supply, and infrastructure interventions. It highlights a 170 percent surge in global ZET sales since 2020 and provides a tailored roadmap for India to establish a ZET ecosystem across short-, medium-, and long-term horizons.

CAPE argues that cutting climate programs, which represent only 1% of Metro Vancouver's budget, would undermine the Climate 2050 strategy and increase long-term costs related to healthcare and disaster response.

Earthjustice condemns the closure of the EPA's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR), which has resulted in 168 civil servants being placed on administrative leave. The organization argues that removing this office, which identifies discriminatory environmental conditions and protects vulnerable communities, will lead to increased health crises—including higher cancer and asthma death rates—and reduced economic opportunities for the most affected populations.

Bangkok faces extreme light pollution, with inner areas reaching level 9 on the Bortle Scale, which disrupts human circadian rhythms and nocturnal wildlife behaviors. Despite the Thailand Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act (1992) recognizing light as a pollutant, there are no specific provisions to regulate excessive artificial lighting. The author advocates for smart lighting solutions, public awareness, and the adoption of light curfews similar to those in Paris and Hong Kong to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect public health.

The WHO-Civil Society Working Group reports on its 2024 achievements, notably catalyzing a new World Health Assembly resolution on climate change and health. The group provided input for the WHO's COP29 Special Report and coordinated policy recommendations endorsed by over 100 organizations. To expand its influence, the group established a COP Task Force to plan activities for COP30. Despite these gains, the report notes that COP29 failed to provide sufficient concessional funding for developing countries or concrete commitments for the phase-out of fossil fuels.

The brief details key decisions from CBD COP16, including the Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health, the establishment of the Cali Fund for benefit-sharing from genetic resources, and the creation of a permanent forum for Indigenous Peoples and local communities (SB 8j). It highlights new frameworks for integrating biodiversity into climate action, marine area protection, and the recognition of diverse knowledge systems and the rights of people of African descent.

The document outlines key decisions from COP16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB), focusing on the integration of biodiversity with climate action, public health, and marine protection. It highlights the adoption of the Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health, the establishment of the Cali Fund for genetic resource benefit-sharing, and new governance structures for indigenous peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendants. The brief also emphasizes the need for continued technical and scientific support to implement these decisions within national biodiversity strategies.

The evaluation of the GCF's 'Health and Well-being, and Food and Water Security' (HWFW) result area finds that while investments are highly relevant to country needs—particularly in food and water security—the RA approach itself has been inconsequential to achieving results. The report highlights significant gaps in health-related programming and tracking, as well as systemic challenges in results reporting and data quality. It recommends a comprehensive rearticulation of the purpose and formulation of all GCF result areas to better align with project origination and strategic impact.

The text highlights that developing countries will bear 99% of the health burden from climate change and suggests that Peru leverage the Paris Agreement to create policies that simultaneously improve public health and the climate system.