170 health experts, climate leaders, artists urge govts to put health at the heart of climate action in COP30 open letter

BATHINDA: Over 170 leading organisations, experts, artists and activists from across the world – representing parliamentarians, health professionals, sustainable businesses, Indigenous communities, workers, children and young people, and concerned citizens – have signed an open letter urging governments and policymakers to put health at the heart of climate action at COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

The letter has been sent to over 50 health ministers and other policymakers from every continent ahead of COP30 to ensure its demands are firmly on the agenda for this year’s political negotiations.

The open letter signed by a diverse range of global organisations and individuals, including Filmmaker Adam McKay, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, Amnesty International, Child Rights International Network, COP30 Youth Climate Champion Marcele Oliveira, COP30 Health Envoy Ethel Maciel, Force of Nature, Global Climate and Health Alliance, Médicins Sans Frontières, Public Services International, Olio, Resilient Cities Network, UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, Climate Activists Vanessa Nakate, Disha Ravi, Luisa Neubauer , Tori Tsui, and more, is spearheaded by Think-Film Impact Production for its ‘healthy planet now’ campaign.

The letter demands that national leaders recognise the escalating health crisis driven by fossil fuel dependency and climate breakdown and respond with policies that prioritise public health and wellbeing within and beyond the Belem Health Action Plan (BHAP).

At COP30, governments are expected to adopt the BHAP—a global roadmap for climate-resilient and sustainable health systems co-developed by Brazil's Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO). Signatories stress that the BHAP is promising, but must go further, including by naming fossil fuels as a central threat to human health and committing real resources to adaptation and prevention.

Five fundamental action points have been outlined for the countries in the letter, urging to phase out fossil fuels for a just, healthy transition. Finance local climate action that strengthens systems and builds resilience. Keep climate and health policy free from harmful industry influence. Integrate health and wellbeing across climate, environment, nature, food, energy, transport, and other policies, narratives and targets. Embed planetary health education and training across systems for better worker safety and patient outcomes.

“Promoting resilient health systems is a central objective of the COP30 Action Agenda. Efforts like this Open Letter are helping build a broad coalition to drive implementation of the Belém Health Action Plan and its shared goals. I am pleased to add my name as the COP30 Health Envoy and to see a wide range of partners doing the same as we move closer to the 30th Conference of the Parties in Belém. This letter sends an unequivocal message that health is an essential component of climate action.” Ethel Maciel, COP30 Special Envoy for Health

“The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue. It is a health and human rights emergency. Governments need to take decisive action to fully phase out fossil fuels, to save lives, build resilient communities and uphold people's right to a healthy environment.” Dr. Marta Schaaf , Director of the Program on Climate, Economic, and Social Justice, and Corporate Accountability, Amnesty International

“Public service workers are the frontline responders to climate catastrophes. From firefighters and emergency personnel to nurses and public transport operators, a rapid transition to low-carbon activities is essential to safeguard their wellbeing and ensure a resilient workforce." Daniel Bertossa, General Secretary, Public Services International

"Nurses are at the frontlines of climate change, protecting the health of communities while fossil-fuel driven climate change strains health systems already stretched thin. To adapt to our changing climate, climate and planetary health must be a mandatory part of healthcare worker training worldwide." Cara Cook, Deputy Director, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments

The letter highlights and warns that climate change is already “a direct public health emergency”, linking fossil fuel combustion to nearly 8 million premature deaths each year, and highlighting the mental health toll on communities facing displacement, extreme heat and pollution. It further emphasises the urgency for governments to act to make health a strategic priority and mainstream it across sectors, whilst identifying the importance of implementing both top-down structural solutions and finance, and bottom-up support and incentives for localised and community efforts.

"COP30 is not just another climate summit — it’s a defining moment to put people’s health and lives at the center of climate decisions, ensuring a just transition that safeguards communities, families, and future generations." Jeni Miller , Director, Global Climate and Health Alliance

The Healthy Planet Now initiative is associated with an upcoming documentary film, My Planet Now, produced by Sandpaper Films and co-directed by Jenny Saunders and Henry Singer , a participatory documentary following individuals across the globe as they deal firsthand with the impacts of climate-related challenges and step up to take action. Many of the contributors’ stories shine a light on the health impacts of climate breakdown and our dependence on fossil fuels. The film inspires audiences worldwide to take climate action, with Healthy Planet Now spearheading a new wave of people demanding change.

“Every signature on this letter represents a shared story of human resilience and hope. It is essential that policy leaders champion films like My Planet Now, which translate the urgency of the climate and health crisis into emotion and movement - because only when people feel the story will they fight to change its ending.” Amy Shepherd, Chief Operating Officer, Think-Film Impact Production.