What can Parliamentarians do to tackle the negative impact of climate change on health from a national and international perspective?

This session will examine the dynamics between climate change and its direct impact on physical and mental health, and what role Parliamentarians can play to tackle this global challenge.

Climate change presents an urgent and multifaceted threat to global health, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and creating new public health challenges worldwide. The Commonwealth, a diverse family of 56 nations, finds itself at the forefront of this crisis, with its Small Island Developing States (SIDS) facing particularly existential risks.

This session will examine the profound health impacts of a warming planet across the Commonwealth, from the rising burden of vector-borne diseases to the devastating mental health consequences of extreme weather events.

Climate change is not merely an environmental concern but a critical public health emergency demanding integrated, cross-sectoral responses. Parliaments across the Commonwealth are uniquely positioned to serve as pillars of resilience in this global challenge. Through their legislative, oversight and representative functions, they possess the power to drive systemic change.

To read and download the Research Briefing for this workshop please click here.

This interactive session will begin with a short presentation on the topic by a leading international expert which will then be followed by a question and answer session. 

The session will then involve group discussions on the following questions which participants will be asked to address: 

• What climate-related health impacts have you observed in your jurisdiction? 

• What are the biggest challenges your jurisdiction has faced in addressing these impacts? 

• What innovative solutions have you witnessed/implemented? 

• How have these worked? 

Following group feedback the session will conclude with an open discussion by the plenary focusing on generating a set of 'calls to action' around addressing these challenges following innovative practices adopted across the Commonwealth.

Additional Resources

• Climate Change and Small States: Parliamentary Toolkit

Articles from The Parliamentarian

• The Parliamentarian 2023 Issue Four - 'Climate legislation in Africa Region - Innovations in Climate Change Acts: Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria in focus' by Catherine Higham, Anirudh Sridhar, and Emily Bradeen from Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics (LSE)
• The Parliamentarian 2021 Issue Three - 'COP26 and the role of Parliamentarians in addressing climate change threats within the Commonwealth's vulnerable nations' by Dr Nana O Bonsu, Research Fellow in Sustainability Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business, Birmingham Business School