Global Health Experts Push for Tripled Climate Fund to $120bn

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, global health experts have sounded a warning to governments attending the United Nations climate negotiations in Bonn, Germany. Under the umbrella of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, these experts have issued a clarion call for a significant increase in public adaptation financing, emphasizing that failure to invest in climate resilience could lead to worsening health risks for millions of people worldwide. The alliance is advocating for an increase in adaptation funding to help countries bolster their health systems, enhance access to clean water and sanitation, ensure food security, and prepare for climate-related disasters. According to the experts, governments should commit to increasing public, grant-based adaptation finance to at least $120 billion annually by 2035. This call to action was made as delegates from around the globe gather for the 64th Session of the Subsidiary Bodies of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which kicked off on June 8 and will run until June 18 in Bonn. Policy Lead at the alliance, Jess Beagley, emphasized that inadequate adaptation funding could undermine efforts to protect public health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries that are already struggling with the challenges of climate change. 'Without adaptation finance, life-saving action to build resilience in the health sector and in health-determining sectors such as water and sanitation, disaster planning, and food systems will be impossible,' Beagley warned. She highlighted the potential consequences of inaction, including increased malnutrition, outbreaks of waterborne diseases, greater exposure to extreme weather events, and disruptions in access to healthcare services. The experts also stressed that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, floods, droughts, storms, and disease outbreaks, thereby placing additional pressure on already fragile health systems. Nigeria and several other African countries have recently experienced severe flooding, prolonged heatwaves, food shortages, and disease outbreaks linked to climate variability. The Global Climate and Health Alliance is also urging wealthy nations to accelerate their transition away from fossil fuels, arguing that continued dependence on oil, gas, and coal poses serious threats to both human health and the environment. Postdoctoral Researcher at the alliance, Nova Tebbe, pointed out that scientific evidence shows that expanding fossil fuel production is incompatible with efforts to limit global warming to safe levels. 'The International Energy Agency has made it clear that no new fossil fuel exploration is compatible with a 1.5-degree Celsius world,' Tebbe said. She emphasized the need for governments to prioritize access to reliable and affordable clean energy for households, hospitals, and healthcare facilities, particularly in underserved communities. According to Tebbe, access to clean energy is essential for improving healthcare delivery, reducing pollution-related illnesses, and strengthening resilience against climate shocks. The experts expressed concern about the growing health impacts of climate-related loss and damage, noting that many deaths, illnesses, and social disruptions caused by climate disasters remain poorly documented and inadequately funded. Policy Coordinator at the alliance, Michele Baker, called on governments to develop a comprehensive framework to assess both economic and non-economic losses associated with climate change. 'Climate change is costing health and lives, but these impacts remain broadly untracked at the global level,' Baker said. She also called for greater accountability regarding financial commitments made under the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, noting that only a portion of pledged funds has been converted into signed agreements or disbursed to affected communities. The Bonn climate meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for future negotiations ahead of the next United Nations climate conference, where governments will face pressure to demonstrate stronger commitments to climate action, adaptation financing, and public health protection.