Fossil Fuels: The Glaring Omission in COP28's Climate and Health Declaration

And so, the diplomatic negotiations begin. As the COP28 climate conference looms, a glaring omission in the draft declaration on climate and health is impossible to ignore: the complete absence of any explicit mention of fossil fuels or their gradual reduction. This omission is nothing short of alarming.

Let's not mince words—burning oil, gas, and coal is the primary catalyst of climate change. The resulting impacts on both human and planetary health are escalating at an alarming rate. Most affected are vulnerable communities grappling with extreme weather, changing disease patterns, food insecurity, and ecological collapse. Such realities should form the bedrock of any credible climate policy and action plan.

Yet, the draft declaration, set to be endorsed by health ministers in Dubai, sidesteps this pressing issue. It employs generic terminology, touching on mitigation and air pollution, but falls short of directly calling for a cutback in fossil fuel consumption—a fact reported by multiple sources with access to the document.

So, what does this omission reveal about our priorities? Are we dodging the central issue as a calculated diplomatic move, or are we perpetuating our perilous carbon addiction?

Make no mistake: transitioning our energy, transport, and infrastructure away from coal, oil, and gas is the most effective strategy to avert climate disasters. According to unequivocal IPCC models, immediate and wide-reaching changes are our only viable path to a sustainable future. This isn't merely an environmental issue; it's a matter of public health hanging in the balance.

The draft does get some things right. It underscores the need for adapting health systems and communities to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. Proposals to increase funding for healthcare accessibility and resilience in vulnerable regions are wise and welcome steps.

However, it is futility to adapt to an ever-worsening situation without addressing its root cause. Without explicit goals to phase out fossil fuels and ramp up renewable energy access, the declaration barely scratches the surface of a burgeoning threat to human survival.

The sense of urgency is undeniable. With the Earth already 1.1 degrees Celsius warmer, we're observing tangible health repercussions—heatwaves, disease outbreaks, mass displacement due to disasters, and mounting psychological stress. Even more alarming is our current trajectory, which suggests a 2.8-degree rise by 2100—a scenario where no health system could feasibly adapt.

This is the inconvenient truth that the COP28 declaration inexplicably sidesteps. But the consequences of fossil fuels can no longer be ignored or downplayed. Each year, more than 7 million people die prematurely due to the direct effects of air pollution, which is intrinsically linked to burning oil, gas, and coal.

Climate change is on track to undo 50 years of public health progress; unsurprisingly, the world's poorest are bearing the brunt. So, where is the collective will to prevent millions of avoidable deaths yearly? Where is the courage to disrupt the status quo and uphold fundamental human rights?

These questions might be uncomfortable within diplomatic circles, but our global communities deserve more than half-hearted declarations that avoid straightforward solutions. Suppose COP28 aims to offer genuine leadership on climate and health. In that case, the missing piece of the puzzle is crystal clear: an unequivocal commitment to phasing out fossil fuels urgently is non-negotiable.

A transition to clean electrification and renewable sources is possible and presents numerous health co-benefits, from cleaner air and water to more nutritious, low-carbon food systems. As a global community, we must get our act together, ensuring that health facilities worldwide become carbon-neutral and resilient enough to meet escalating demands.

In a world where science, ethics, and economics are in harmony, the case for renewable energy has never been stronger. And yet, myopic political considerations continue to lag. As health leaders convene in Dubai, they must fully grasp the ramifications of their statements. A lack of courage to confront the necessary remedies leaves their words empty and hopeless.

However, change remains within our reach. The world is watching, waiting for signals of absolute resolve and vision commensurate with the gravity of this moment. Leadership that serves both people and the planet is a challenging endeavour, but it's also our only viable path forward. The time for decisive action is now. The choice lies before us, and the health of humanity hangs in the balance.

On the COP28 Radar Screen

While you are here, COP Health Day is December 3, 2023, during the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This is the first time COP will have a dedicated day to health and climate change, and it will be a significant opportunity to discuss climate change’s mental health impacts and develop strategies to address them.

The day will feature various events, including panel discussions, workshops, and side events. The objective is to raise awareness about climate change’s health impacts and discuss potential responses to these effects. FINN Partners has a dedicated team preparing for #COP28, intended for clients who have a presence or desire to establish one at the event. We will have colleagues in Dubai to support clients across multiple practices, including health.