BELEM ACTION PLAN FOR HEALTH AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION

NEWS

• The Belem Action Plan for Health and Climate Adaptation was launched at COP30, Belem, Brazil.
• 80 countries and organisations collaborated to strengthen global health systems against intensifying climate impacts.

HIGHLIGHTS

Key Features of the Belem Action Plan

• Aims to:
  • Strengthen health system resilience to climate-induced hazards.
  • Integrate health considerations into climate adaptation policies.
  • Prioritise vulnerable regions facing rising mortality from heat, smoke, and extreme weather.
• Basis of the plan:
  • 2025 Lancet Countdown Report on Health and Climate Change, documenting millions of climate-related deaths and widespread exposure to extreme heat, rainfall, storms, and desertification.

 Funding Commitment

• Climate and Health Funders Coalition (35 philanthropies) pledged US $300 million.
• Funds will support:
  • Implementation of the Belem Action Plan.
  • Integrated solutions addressing climate drivers and health consequences.
  • Rapid deployment of health interventions in high-risk areas.

Rising Climate-Health Burden

• Highlights from experts:
  • 500,000+ annual deaths due to extreme heat.
  • 150,000+ deaths linked to wildfire smoke.
  • Health systems globally remain overstretched and underprepared.

Adaptation Finance Gap

• Health finance gap is part of a larger global adaptation deficit.
• Adaptation Gap Report:
  • Developing countries need $310–365 billion/year by 2035.
  • Current international flows are far below the $40 billion promised at COP26 (Glasgow).

India’s Climate Adaptation Needs

• As per India’s 2023 National Communication to UNFCCC:
  • India requires $643 billion by 2030 for climate adaptation (business-as-usual scenario).
  • India spent $146 billion in 2021–22, amounting to 6% of GDP—a steep rise from 3.7% in 2015–16.
  • Indicates strong domestic commitment but highlights the need for enhanced global support.