Disasters caused by climate change have increased fivefold in the last fifty years. Persistent drought in the Horn of Africa throws over 32 millions of people in cases of acute food insecurity. Seven million people die air pollution every year and it is estimated that by 2050, 1.2 billion people will be forced to leave their homes due to climate change.

The climate crisis also harbors the seeds of a global health crisis of unprecedented proportions. By including a specific day dedicated to health in the agenda, COP28 confirmed for the first time the connection between health and climate change. This emphasis on health issues was accompanied by a commitment to invest one billion euros in this area. It is important.

So far, most of the financial commitments have served to stop the warming process, i.e. to “prevent” a phenomenon that is already noticeable for millions of people. Today it is already too late to just prevent, we have to heal. The question is how and where to act first.

Hybrid financing

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the fact that worldwide 90% of health services, long underfunded, are not adapted to these unprecedented challengesS. Here again, it is the most vulnerable populations and the least developed countries – which are therefore least responsible for the climate crisis – that are most affected. For these countries, the priority is less on containment than on adaptation.

We have to change the paradigm. The economic return of every dollar spent in the healthcare sector is currently estimated to be at least $2 to $4. Not only are the costs of inaction very high, but there is no economic benefit. If we do nothing, Air pollution will continue to killand soon it will be almost $50 billion [environ 46 milliards d’euros] issued since 2010 just to offset the impact. A paradigm shift also means reviewing our approach to financing adaptation systems.

Needs in this area could reach $340 billion per year in low- and middle-income countries by 2030. Official development aid will not be enough. Hybrid financing must be created. We need to focus more resources on local initiatives. Local communities know their needs, but also know the solutions to be implemented. They can contribute to effective, rapid and sustainable interventions: they must be at the center of decision-making and prioritization.

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