As World Environment Day is observed on Thursday, the world faces a critical gap in climate action. Most countries mention health benefits like reduced air pollution in their climate plans, but few actually track these outcomes. Meanwhile, global commitments remain weak.
Only 21 countries out of the 195 parties to the UN Paris Agreement have submitted updated national climate action plans, called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), that extend to 2035. These submissions came nearly four months after the official deadline.
This information comes from the latest report by Climate Action Tracker, which monitors the submission of these plans to UN Climate Change. Among these few, the United States has since withdrawn its targets.
Most submitted plans mention health benefits from mitigation strategies such as better air quality in broad terms. Some also refer to health adaptation measures. However, there is a significant lack of clear systems to track progress in achieving health goals, according to a recent analysis by the Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA). This global network brings together health experts to promote climate action.
The GCHA examined climate plans from 11 countries across different continents and economic levels. These included Botswana, Panama, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The study evaluated eight criteria, including references to health benefits, financial commitments, and health sector adaptation efforts.
Under the Paris Agreement, all countries must update their NDCs every five years, outlining how they will reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts. The current round, due in February, requires targets for 2035. Yet, only 13 countries submitted on time, with eight more sending plans afterward.
Health Gains Hidden in Ambitious Climate Plans
The countries studied by GCHA show a common theme: most acknowledge health improvements from cleaner air due to emissions cuts. However, only the UK explicitly includes air quality monitoring in its plan.
Some new plans have strong potential health benefits, even if these are not clearly stated. For example, Kenya’s NDC, submitted in May, commits to 100% renewable energy and a 35% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2035. Kenya contributes less than 0.1% of global emissions but its plan could greatly reduce air pollution from vehicles and waste burning. It would also reduce indoor pollution by cutting biomass fuel use. Yet, Kenya’s plan does not mention these health benefits.
Climate Plans Fall Short Amid Rising Temperatures
The urgency of climate action grows as 2024 marks the first year with global surface temperatures rising 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels—the warmest year on record. Experts warn this threshold will have devastating effects on health and ecosystems. Yet, increasing climate interventions could prevent up to 1.9 million premature deaths annually.
While most efforts focus on cutting carbon dioxide, experts at the WHO’s Second Global Conference on Air Pollution in Colombia urged tackling “super pollutants” like methane and black carbon. These pollutants warm the planet quickly but break down in weeks or years, unlike CO2 which lasts centuries. Reducing these could quickly slow warming.
Fabio Aleina, co-author of the GCHA report, said in an interview with Health Policy Watch that setting health-related climate targets and highlighting co-benefits in sectors like forestry and energy would help improve coordination between government ministries. This coordination remains a challenge in many countries’ plans.
Diverse National Approaches
Countries vary in their climate strategies. Brazil, which will host COP30 in November, focuses heavily on fighting deforestation to reduce wildfires and protect indigenous communities. However, Brazil’s climate plan also supports new offshore oil drilling near the Amazon River, conflicting with its environmental pledges.
New Zealand addresses several super pollutants but has been criticized for an emission target that barely improves on its 2030 goal. Japan depends heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to thousands of deaths from air pollution annually. The United Arab Emirates is developing a monitoring system for greenhouse gases and air pollutants.
Panama emphasizes renewable energy and active transport. Uruguay offers fiscal incentives to promote electric vehicles and sustainable transit. Canada is phasing out coal by 2030 and boosting zero-emission vehicles.
The United States initially showed strong emission reduction goals, including methane cuts. However, under President Donald Trump, the US withdrew from the Paris Agreement and reversed climate progress. In contrast, Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney presents a more positive outlook.
Funding Gap Threatens Progress
Climate finance remains a major obstacle. The World Bank estimates that investments to reduce air pollution must grow from $8.5 billion in 2020 to nearly $14 billion by 2040 to halve harmful PM2.5 exposure and save millions of lives.
Yet, financial commitments have been disappointing. The US exit from key climate agreements worsens this, straining resources for countries reliant on external funding to meet their targets. Aleina warned this may hinder efforts to raise climate ambition worldwide.
With nearly 90% of countries yet to submit their updated climate plans, UN climate chief Simon Stiell extended the deadline to September. The final synthesis report will be released before COP30 in Brazil.
“Countries are taking this seriously,” Stiell said in February. “Taking more time to deliver strong plans is the right approach.”
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