The Climate Overshoot Commission Launches Policy Paper on the Health Risks of Climate Overshoot

The Forum's Climate Overshoot Commission released its policy paper: "Reducing the Health Risks of Climate Overshoot" at the World Health Summit 2024.

The goal of the Paris Agreement is to hold the global average temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. As we face the growing risk of climate overshoot, it is crucial to adopt a comprehensive approach that integrates health considerations into climate action.

This paper highlights the physical and mental health risks of climate overshoot a well as the exacerbating social and economic inequalities which compound vulnerable populations' exposure to climate related health hazards.

Key strategies to mitigate the health impacts and promote equity include:

• Scaling up climate finance to enhance health system resilience
• Strengthening global governance and financial mechanisms
• Implementing fossil fuel phase out and promosing carbon removal
• Decarbonising health systems using a comprehensive approach
• Researching and regulating solar radiation modification (SRM)

Click to read the full paper, availble in 6 UN languages

The launch included a rich discussion focused on the findings and recommendations of the policy paper.