The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change report for 2026 has urged that climate change be formally recognised as a global health emergency. This call to action comes as the analysis reveals climate-driven health risks are increasing at a faster rate than mitigation efforts. The report was produced by an international team of 146 researchers from over 100 institutions in more than 30 countries, in collaboration with the World Health Organization.
According to the report, there has been a 36 percent rise in annual average heat-related deaths since the Paris Agreement. In 2023, a record 710,000 deaths worldwide were attributed to heat, with over 70 percent of these deaths linked to human-caused climate change. These statistics highlight the urgent need for governments to take immediate action to address the health impacts of climate change.
Dr. Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, head of WHO's climate change, air quality and health unit, emphasized that the evidence shows health impacts are accelerating in every region. He stressed that placing health at the centre of climate policies can deliver immediate benefits. The authors of the report are urging governments to make health protection central to climate policies and to accelerate greenhouse-gas emission cuts.
The report also notes that while global clean-energy investment reached a record $2.1 trillion in 2025, drought, extreme water events, and heat-linked economic losses are worsening. This indicates that health-related climate action has lagged behind overall progress. The authors stress that funding for climate adaptation must be increased to match the growing health risks.
The Lancet Countdown report highlights that more countries are adopting health-system preparedness plans and early-warning systems. However, the authors emphasize that increased investment in adaptation measures is necessary to help communities cope with climate-related threats. This includes improving healthcare infrastructure and emergency response systems.
The report was released ahead of the November-scheduled COP31 climate summit. The call for a health-focused emergency declaration is intended to inform international discussions and encourage governments to take action. By placing health at the centre of climate policies, governments can address the growing health risks associated with climate change.
The Lancet Countdown report serves as a critical reminder of the need for urgent action to address the health impacts of climate change. With climate-driven health risks continuing to rise, it is essential that governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders work together to develop and implement effective strategies for mitigating these risks and protecting public health.
Key points
- The Lancet Countdown report calls for climate change to be formally recognised as a global health emergency.
- Climate-driven health risks are increasing at a faster rate than mitigation efforts.
- Governments are urged to make health protection central to climate policies and accelerate greenhouse-gas emission cuts.
