As global health leaders, we are committed to achieving health and well-being for all \u2013 this is not possible without a safe and stable climate. The Paris Agreement enshrined the \u201cright to health\u201d as a core obligation for climate action. Yet, communities, health workers and health systems around the world already face the alarming impacts of a changing climate. Climate change-induced extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe \u2013 many countries are grappling with the health consequences of extreme heat, unprecedented storms, floods, food and water insecurity, wildfires and displacement. For COP28 to truly be a \u201chealth COP,\u201d it must address the root cause of the climate crisis: the continued extraction and use of fossil fuels including coal, oil and gas. We call on the COP28 Presidency and the leaders of all countries to commit to an accelerated, just and equitable phase-out of fossil fuels as the decisive path to health for all<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ending our dangerous dependency on fossil fuels will improve the health prospects of future generations and will save lives.<\/strong> Keeping the global temperature increase within the 1.5\u00b0C target of the Paris Agreement is essential to ensure good health and economic prosperity for all. This will only be possible if we rapidly phase out fossil fuels. Fossil fuel phase-out will limit global warming, thereby protecting health from the devastating impacts of extreme weather, and preventing further ecological degradation and biodiversity loss. Failing to do so will lead to overwhelming health consequences, as well as the loss of key natural resources and ecosystem services that are critical to both human and non-human species health,<\/a> thereby undermining One Health and planetary health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to climate-related health impacts, air pollution caused in part by burning fossil fuels causes 7 million premature deaths annually<\/a>. The economic costs<\/a> of air pollution-related health impacts amounted to over US$8.1 trillion, or 6.1% of global GDP, in 2019.By improving air quality, governments can reduce the burden of disease from multiple cancers, heart disease, neurological conditions including stroke, and chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Investments in clean energy sources will save hundreds of billions of dollars in health care costs associated with air pollution every year, while reducing economic losses from extreme weather events with damages worth US$253 billion (in 2021)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A full and rapid phase-out of fossil fuels is the most significant way to provide the clean air, water, and environment that are foundational to good health. <\/strong>We cannot rely on unreliable and inadequate solutions, like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), that extend the use of fossil fuels but do not generate the real and immediate health improvements which a renewable energy transition provides. False solutions like CCS risk making harmful emissions worse, straining the health of overburdened communities and delaying our progress toward meaningful climate progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The energy transition must be just and equitable for all. <\/strong>In transitioning to a clean energy future, there is an opportunity to undo the injustices of the fossil fuel dependent system, taking a systemic approach and emphasizing health, care and community well-being, leaving no one behind. Global leaders must ensure everyone, including fragile states and the most remote and excluded communities, has access to non-polluting, affordable, reliable, accessible and resilient clean energy, as well as to emerging technologies that make best use of this energy. A just transition offers the opportunity to reduce health inequities faced by minority and marginalized communities, especially with respect to the health effects of ongoing fossil fuel use and dependence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlocking finance is essential to deliver a healthy and just transition. <\/strong>Achieving climate and health goals will only be feasible if we stop investing in fossil fuels and invest instead in proven climate and health solutions. Each year, countries spend hundreds of billions of dollars subsidizing the fossil fuel industry, money that could be spent investing in a healthy future. High-income countries, development finance institutions, and the private sector must dramatically increase \u2013 and fulfill \u2013 their commitments to drive investments in clean energy, clean air, and economic development for the communities most harmed by climate change and fossil fuel pollution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fossil fuel interests have no place at climate negotiations. <\/strong>The fossil fuel industry cannot be allowed to continue its decades-long campaign of obstructing climate action at the UNFCCC negotiations and beyond. Just as the tobacco industry is not allowed to participate in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, it is imperative to safeguard global collaboration on climate progress from the lobbying, disinformation, and delays in favor of industry interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without ambitious climate action, the burden on health care systems and health care workers will be insurmountable. Health gains made in recent decades will be in vain and we will see the harmful impacts of climate change ruin our chances for a safe, equitable and just future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In this extraordinary year, with health for the first time on the COP agenda, we urge you to deliver real climate progress: Commit to an accelerated, just and equitable phase-out of fossil fuels and invest in a renewable energy transition as the decisive path to health for all.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sincerely,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Global Health Organization Leadership<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n Dr. Githinji Gitahi, CEO, Amref Health Africa<\/p>\n Dr. Pam Cipriano, President, International Council of Nurses<\/p>\n Dr. Salman Khan, Liaison Officer for Public Health Issues, International Federation of Medical Students’ AssocIations<\/p>\n Dr. Naveen Thacker, President, International Pediatric Association<\/p>\n Dr Christos Christou, International President, M\u00e9decins Sans Fronti\u00e8res<\/p>\n Dr. Mar\u00eda del Carmen Calle D\u00e1vila, Executive Secretary, Organismo Andino du Salud (Andean Health Organization)<\/p>\n Dr. Vanessa Kerry, CEO, Seed Global Health<\/p>\n Prof. Luis Eugenio de Souza, President, World Federation for Public Health Associations<\/p>\n Dr. Lujain Alqodmani, President, World Medical Association<\/p>\n\n\n Regional Leaders in Health<\/em> (alphabetical by surname)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n Dr. Mary T. Bassett, Director, FXB Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Fiona Godlee, Former Editor-in-chief of the British Medical Journal<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prof. (Dr.) Arvind Kumar, Chairman, Institute of Chest Surgery, Chest Onco Surgery and Lung Transplantation, Medanta Hospital, India<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dame Parveen Kumar, Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Education, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Lwando Maki, Secretary, Public Health Association of South Africa<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, Executive Director, Sunway Center for Planetary Health – Malaysia<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Kari C. Nadeau, MD, PhD, Chair of the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard School of Public Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prof. (Dr.) K Srinath Reddy, Past President of Public Health Foundation of India<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n This letter supported and endorsed by health leaders and organizations from around the world:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n INTERNATIONAL<\/p>\n\n\n Climate And Health Foundation<\/p>\n Climate Mental Health Network<\/p>\n Health Care Without Harm<\/p>\n International Society for Neglected Tropical Diseases<\/p>\n International Society of Doctors for The Environment<\/p>\n International Youth Health Organization<\/p>\n Ride For Their Lives<\/p>\n Vital Strategies<\/p>\n World Health Innovation Summit<\/p>\n\n\n AFRICA<\/p>\n\n\n Dr. Agonafer Tekalenge, President, Ethiopian Public Health Association<\/p>\n Dr. Adeline Kimambo, Executive Secretary, Tanzania Public Health Association<\/p>\n Ong Z\u00e9ro D\u00e9c\u00e8s En Donnant La Vie, Burkina Faso<\/p>\n Maison Des Organisations De La Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 Civile (Mosc) Anjouan – Comores, Comoros<\/p>\n New Hope for The Poor, Congo<\/p>\n The Youth Cafe, Kenya<\/p>\n African Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Egypt<\/p>\n Afro-Egyptian Journal of Infectious and Endemic Diseases (Ajied), Egypt<\/p>\n Community And Family Aid Foundation, Ghana<\/p>\n Center Of Education and Research on Health and Climate Change (Cerscc-Magaria), Niger<\/p>\n Peal Medical Ltd, Nigeria<\/p>\n Mental Health Rebuilding and Restoring Initiative, Nigeria<\/p>\n Annals Of Health Research (The Journal of The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria) Nigeria<\/p>\n Nurses Across the Borders Humanitarian Initiative, Nigeria<\/p>\n Sant\u00e9 En Transition, Reunion Island<\/p>\n Groundwork, Friends of The Earth South Africa, South Africa<\/p>\n Energy Safe Water And Environmental Preservation For Community Development Foundation (Esawep-Cod Foundation), Tanzania<\/p>\n Csym Huduma Mbuenet, Tanzania<\/p>\n Health For Children Organization, Tanzania<\/p>\n Give A Hand Foundation, Uganda<\/p>\n Kabarole Ngos &Cbos Association (Kanca), Uganda<\/p>\n Tree Adoption Uganda, Uganda<\/p>\n Centre For Peace and Conflict Mitigation, Uganda<\/p>\n Youth Advocacy and Development Network-Uganda, Uganda<\/p>\n Corporacion Hvq Sa, Zimbabwe<\/p>\n\n\n ASIA<\/p>\n\n\n Aihms-Global, India<\/p>\n Global Journal of Medicine and Public Health, India<\/p>\n Green Practice Japan, Japan<\/p>\n Health And Global Policy Institute, Japan<\/p>\n Khyber Medical University Journal, Pakistan<\/p>\n Radiological Students’ Association of Pakistan, Pakistan<\/p>\n Planetary And Global Health Program, St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine, Philippines<\/p>\n St. Paul’s Hospital of Iloilo Inc., Philippines<\/p>\n Aga Khan Health Services-Syria, Syria<\/p>\n\n\n CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA<\/p>\n\n\n Dr. Vital Ribeiro, Chair, Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Civil Projeto Hospitais Saud\u00e1veis, Brazil<\/p>\n Dr. Rosana Teresa Onocko Campos, President, Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Brasileira de Sa\u00fade Coletiva, Brazil<\/p>\n Fundaci\u00f3n \u00c9tica Clim\u00e1tica Y Desarrollo, Argentina<\/p>\n Act Health Promotion, Brazil<\/p>\n Health Hospitals Project, Brazil<\/p>\n S\u00e3o Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Brazil<\/p>\n Instituto De Medicina, Estudos E Desenvolvimento – Imed, Brazil<\/p>\n Hospital Das Cl\u00ednicas da Faculdade De Medicina De Botucatu, Brazil<\/p>\n Aguas Libres Villarrica, Chile<\/p>\n Departamento Comunal De Salud, I. Municipalidad De Talca, Chile<\/p>\n Clinica De Alta Complejidad De Aguachica, Colombia<\/p>\n Clinica De Cirugia Ambulatoria Conquistadores, Colombia<\/p>\n Clinica Esperanza Sas, Colombia<\/p>\n Clinica Pajonal Sas, Colombia<\/p>\n Cooperativa De Profesionales De La Salud De Donmatias Prosalco Ips, Colombia<\/p>\n Ese Hospital San Rafael De Pacho, Colombia<\/p>\n Fundaci\u00f3n Amigos De La Salud, Colombia<\/p>\n Fundaci\u00f3n Colombiana Del Coraz\u00f3n, Colombia<\/p>\n Hospital Regional De Zipaquir\u00e1, Colombia<\/p>\n E.S.E Hospital San Vicente De Pa\u00fal, Colombia<\/p>\n Hospital Francisco De Paula Santander – Santander De Quilichao Departamento Del Cauca, Colombia<\/p>\n Alc Eco Solutions De Costa Rica Limitada, Costa Rica<\/p>\n Fundacion Plenitud, Dominican Republic<\/p>\n Corporacion Hvq Sa. (Hospital Vozandes Quito), Ecuador<\/p>\n Alergiamx, Mexico<\/p>\n Centro Estatal De Vigilancia Epidemiologica Y Control De Enfermedades (Cevece), Mexico<\/p>\n Hospital Comunitario Abasolo, Mexico<\/p>\n Hospital Comunitario Morole\u00f3n, Mexico<\/p>\n Hospital General Salvatierra, Mexico<\/p>\n Hospital Materno Perinatal “Monica Pretelini Saenz”, Mexico<\/p>\n Observatorio Ciudadano De La Calidad Del Aire Del \u00c1rea Metropolitana De Monterrey, Mexico<\/p>\n Celtimedic Sa De Cv, Mexico<\/p>\n Centro Estatal De Vigilancia Epidemiologica Y Control De Enfermedades (Cevece), Mexico<\/p>\n Hospital Materno Perinatal “Monica Pretelini Saenz”, Mexico<\/p>\n Secretar\u00eda De Salud Del Estado De M\u00e9xico-Red Mexiquense De Hospitales Verdes Y Saludables, Mexico<\/p>\n Salud Sin Da\u00f1o Panama, Panama<\/p>\n Circulo Laudato Si De Tacna, Peru<\/p>\n Instituto Nacional De Salud Del Ni\u00f1o, Peru<\/p>\n Asociaci\u00f3n Latinoamericana De Pediatr\u00eda (Alape), Uruguay<\/p>\n Sanatorio Semm Mautone, Uruguay<\/p>\n\n\n EUROPE<\/p>\n\n\n Dr. Sara Cerdas, Member Of the European Parliament, Portugal<\/p>\n Diederik Aarendonk, Forum Coordinator Global Health Organization Leadership, European Forum for Primary Care<\/p>\n Dr. Ansgar Gerhardus, Board Chair, German Public Health Association<\/p>\n Prof. Kevin Fenton, President, UK Faculty of Public Health<\/p>\n Dr Latifa Patel, Representative Body Chair, British Medical Association<\/p>\n Kamran Abassi, Editor-in-Chief, British Medical Journal<\/p>\n Dr. Richard Smith, Chair, UK Health Alliance on Climate Change<\/p>\n Sheila Sobrany, President, Royal College of Nursing<\/p>\n Diana Zeballos, Executive Secretary, Sustainable Health Equity Movement<\/p>\n Health For Future Austria, Austria<\/p>\n Eurohealthnet, Belgium<\/p>\n European Union of Medical Specialists, Belgium<\/p>\n Health Care Without Harm Europe, Belgium<\/p>\n Observatoire De L’anthropoc\u00e8ne, Belgium<\/p>\n Pharmadvance, Belgium<\/p>\n R\u00e9sili\u00e6nces M\u00e9tamorphoses, Belgium<\/p>\n Association Of Basic Medical Sciences of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/p>\n Collectif Je Suis Infirmi\u00e8re Pu\u00e9ricultrice, France<\/p>\n Danish Family Planning Associaiton, Denmark<\/p>\n Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 Fran\u00e7aise De Sant\u00e9 Publique (Sfsp) \/ French Society of Public Health, France<\/p>\n Comit\u00e9 Pour Le D\u00e9veloppement Durable En Sant\u00e9 (C2ds), France<\/p>\n Eco Veto, France<\/p>\n Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 Fran\u00e7aise De Sant\u00e9 Publique (Sfsp) \/ French Society of Public Health, France<\/p>\n Berufsverband Der Pr\u00e4ventologen E.V., Germany<\/p>\n Deutsche Gesellschaft F\u00fcr Epidemiolgie E. V., Germany<\/p>\n German Public Health Association, Germany<\/p>\n Klug – German Alliance on Climate Change and Health, Germany<\/p>\n Un Sustainable Development Solutions Network (Sdsn) Youth Black Sea, Greece<\/p>\n Irish Doctors for The Environment, Ireland<\/p>\n Irish Society of Specialists in Public Health Medicine, Ireland<\/p>\n Italian Assciation of Epidemiology, Italy<\/p>\n European Forum for Primary Care, Netherlands<\/p>\n Huisartsenpraktijk Rietkampen, Netherlands<\/p>\n The Green Health Alliance, Netherlands<\/p>\n Zorg Voor Klimaat, Netherlands<\/p>\n Centre For Sustainable Healthcare Education, Norway<\/p>\n Alianza M\u00e9dica Contra El Cambio Clim\u00e1tico, Spain<\/p>\n Fundaci\u00f3n Ecolog\u00eda Y Desarrollo (Ecodes), Spain<\/p>\n Galician Health Service, Spain<\/p>\n Ifmsa-Sweden, Sweden<\/p>\n Medical Alliance Against Climate Change, Spain<\/p>\n Medicus Mundi Spain, Spain<\/p>\n Salud Por Derecho, Spain<\/p>\n Spanish General Medical Council, Spain<\/p>\n Fundaci\u00f3n Ecolog\u00eda Y Desarrollo (Ecodes), Spain<\/p>\n Swedish Doctors for The Environment, Sweden<\/p>\n Doctors For the Environment Switzerland, Switzerland<\/p>\n Faculty Of Medicine, University of Geneva, Switzerland<\/p>\n Consortium Suisse Pour La Sant\u00e9 Durable Et La Transition \u00c9cologique Du Syst\u00e8me De Sant\u00e9, Switzerland<\/p>\n Swiss Malaria Group, Switzerland<\/p>\n Health For Future Switzerland, Switzerland<\/p>\n Public Health Schweiz, Switzerland<\/p>\n Doctors In Unite the Union, UK<\/p>\n Green Health Wales, UK<\/p>\n Greener Practice, UK<\/p>\n Institute Of Health Visiting (Ihv), UK<\/p>\n Palliative Care Sustainability Network, UK<\/p>\n Royal College of Nursing, UK<\/p>\n The British Psychological Society, UK<\/p>\n The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, UK<\/p>\n Royal College of Paediatrics And Child Health, United Kingdom<\/p>\n The British Psychological Society, United Kingdom<\/p>\n\n\n OCEANIA<\/p>\n\n\n Dr. Kate Wylie, Executive Director, Doctors for the Environment Australia<\/p>\n Dr. Frances Peart, President & Board Chair, Climate and Health Alliance Australia<\/p>\n Veterinarians for Climate Action, Australia<\/p>\n Institute For Climate & Peace, United States Minor Outlying Islands<\/p>\n\n\n NORTH AMERICA<\/p>\n\n\n Katie Huffling, DNP, Executive Director, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments<\/p>\n Canadian Association of Nurses for The Environment, Canada<\/p>\n Canadian Association of Physicians for The Environment, Canada<\/p>\n Canadian Health Assoc. For Sustainability and Equity (Chase), Canada<\/p>\n Canadian Medical Association, Canada<\/p>\n Canadian Public Health Association, Canada<\/p>\n Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (Rnao),\n Ifmsa-Qu\u00e9bec, Canada <\/p> Canada<\/p>\n Boston College Global Observatory on Planetary Health, US<\/p>\n Carolina Advocates for Climate, Health, And Equity, US<\/p>\n Climate Health Now, US<\/p>\n Climate Psychiatry Alliance, US<\/p>\n Clinicians For Climate Action New Jersey, US<\/p>\n Florida Clinicians for Climate Action, US<\/p>\n Georgia Clinicians for Climate Action, US<\/p>\n Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, US<\/p>\n Healthy Climate Wisconsin, US<\/p>\n Idaho Clinicians for Climate and Health, US<\/p>\n Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health, US<\/p>\n Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action, US<\/p>\n Montana Health Professionals for A Healthy Climate, US<\/p>\n Physicians For Social Responsibility, US<\/p>\n Physicians For Social Responsibility, US<\/p>\n Physicians For Social Responsibility – Florida Chapter, US<\/p>\n Physicians For Social Responsibility Arizona, US<\/p>\n Physicians For Social Responsibility Maine, US<\/p>\n Physicians For Social Responsibility Pennsylvania, US<\/p>\n Physicians For Social Responsibility, Arizona Chapter, US<\/p>\n Physicians For Social Responsibility\/Sacramento, US<\/p>\n Public Health Institute, US<\/p>\n San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility, US<\/p>\n Solavida, US<\/p>\n Texas Physicians for Social Responsibility, US<\/p>\n Vermont Climate and Health Alliance, US<\/p>\n Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action, US<\/p>\n Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, US<\/p>\n Yale Center On Climate Change and Health, US<\/p>\n\n\n