Azerbaijan and Tonga joined ATACH at COP29, which expanded to 92 member states, including India, to tackle climate change, air pollution and non-communicable diseases, while building resilient health systems globally
The addition of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Tonga to the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) was recently announced during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. With this, ATACH now has 92 Member States and over 70 partners working together to share knowledge, build climate-resilient health systems, advance climate health goals and promote health-focused actions across sectors.
“We welcome Azerbaijan and Tonga to the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health, and their commitment to advancing action on climate change and health at the country level,” said Elena Villalobos Prats, ATACH Secretariat Lead at the World Health Organization.
“The future we want – the future the next generation deserves – must be built on a foundation of global collaboration. The Alliance is how we ensure a healthier future for all,” she added.
The World Health Organization has emphasised the critical link between public health and climate action as world leaders attending COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, discuss the urgent climate change challenges.
This is particularly relevant for India, another member of ATACH, which is facing the silent yet deadly impact of air pollution – a growing threat that is closely linked to both non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and climate change.
India Bears the Brunt of Air Pollution
India has been battling severe air pollution, especially in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Delhi has seen AQI numbers constantly exceeding 500, with the air quality classified as “Hazardous” by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Cities across India regularly experience pollution levels that surpass hazardous thresholds, exposing residents to serious health risks including Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
NCDs such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and asthma are prevalent among populations exposed to high levels of air pollution. These diseases affect individuals across all age groups. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable, with the young facing respiratory conditions like asthma, while the elderly experience worsening lung conditions. Long-term exposure to particulate matter exacerbates these health issues, leading to irreversible damage.
As extreme weather conditions increase, people are forced to stay indoors, reducing physical activity and contributing to mental health issues like anxiety, stress, and uncertainty about the future. These psychological stressors, coupled with rising blood pressure and heart disease, are becoming more common in the affected population.
The Way Forward
India can tackle the rise of NCDs linked with climate change by investing in its healthcare system to manage the growing burden of these diseases. Hospitals must be equipped to handle the increasing number of chronic illness cases and healthcare professionals must be trained to recognise the connection between health and environmental factors.
Furthermore, broader climate issues must also be addressed to tackle the root causes of climate change- such as reducing carbon emissions, investing in renewable energy and promoting sustainable development.
A cleaner environment will not only help alleviate risks associated with air pollution but will also help in restoring long-term health of the people and the planet at large.
Investing in clean technologies, renewable energy and pollution control measures can create new business opportunities and jobs while improving air quality and public health.
The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago reveals that if India meets the WHO guidelines for PM2.5, the average Indian could gain 3.6 years of life expectancy.
ATACH’s Role in the Global Effort
Established in 2022 at COP26, ATACH was created to build climate-resilient, sustainable and low-carbon health systems, implement climate health priorities at the country level and advocate for health-promoting climate action across all sectors.
Since its founding, ATACH has grown rapidly to include over 90 committed countries, more than 70 non-State partner organisations and numerous stakeholders working together to advance climate change and health priorities.
Global collaboration is vital to address both climate change and health challenges. ATACH is helping ensure a healthier future for all by fostering cooperative efforts to tackle these pressing issues.