WHO Review: Health in the Nationally Determined Contributions

Overview

Countries can strengthen their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement by developing health-inclusive and health-promoting climate targets and policies. The inclusion of public health considerations in the NDCs provides an opportunity for increased ambition, for example through the consideration of the social co-benefits of climate action, the creation of climate-resilient health systems or through prioritized adaptation actions.

The scope of this paper is threefold. First, this paper provides a snapshot of where health is positioned in current NDCs - submitted up to COP25, in December 2019. The overview thereby outlines countries’ current priorities and needs for ensuring healthy people and societies in a changing climate.

Second, this paper provides a set of WHO recommendations for the creation of robust and ambitious health-promoting NDCs, identifying a broad range of public health measures that can benefit national mitigation and, adaptation and implementation priorities and can contribute to increased climate ambition.

Lastly, the paper underscores the need for a tailored and equitable approach to NDC enhancement that is suited to a country’s specific circumstances. Some examples from existing NDCs are included to highlight current best practices from nationally determined contributions that promote health.

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