14th November 2025
At the World Leaders Climate Action Summit last week, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that despite the current trajectory, the United Nations will not give up on the 1.5C limit, calling it a ‘red line for humanity’. His red line came with a message of hope and opportunity: “We have never been better equipped to fight back”. He highlighted the clean energy revolution that has taken hold and the economic shift that has happened. But, he said, what’s still missing is political courage, and too many people losing hope that their leaders will act.
Speaking ahead of a global walk for health and climate in Belem on Wednesday, Director of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, Dr Jeni Miller, said: “When national representatives participate in COP30, they may think they are discussing carbon emissions or the economic costs and impacts of climate action. In reality, they are negotiating people’s lives. Every decision they make, whether on fossil fuels, financing and monitoring of adaptation, or on the principles that underpin a just transition, has direct consequences for people’s health now and in the future.”
Success at COP30 will be measured by the courage of governments to deliver the action needed to avoid crossing the red line for humanity and ensuring a healthy future for people of all countries.
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News
Health action during COP30
COP30 got underway in Belem on Monday 10 November and will conclude on 21 November. What is decided in the formal negotiations shapes health outcomes for millions of people across the world, and the global health community is working to ensure their views are heard throughout the conference. The Global Climate and Health Alliance is acting as a leading voice and regularly updating the GCHA COP30 webpage during the meeting to keep the health community up to date. The UK Faculty of Public Health has also produced this overview: why COP30 matters, what health professionals can do, and spotlight on events to tackle fossil fuel industry and its health harms
Belem Health Action Plan
On COP30 Health Day (13 November), the Belem Health Action Plan for the adaptation of the health sector was launched. The plan centres on the health impacts of climate change, the growing pressures on health systems, and what health systems need in order to meet the needs of populations faced with climate change.
2025 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change
The 2025 global report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change warned that health impacts of climate change are worsening, with millions dying needlessly each year due to fossil fuel dependence, growing greenhouse gas emissions, and failure to adequately adapt. The report represents the work of 128 experts from 71 institutions monitoring progress across 57 indicators, providing the most comprehensive assessment yet of the links between climate change and health. The UK Health Alliance on Climate Change led on the production of the UK policy priorities, which called for urgent climate action to save lives, reduce costs, and secure a healthier future: phase out fossil fuels; promote healthy, plant rich diets; and protected adaptation finance. Individual country reports and data are available on the Lancet Countdown website.
£1.5m boost for climate action and mental wellbeing in London
A new £1.5 million National Lottery Community Fund project will address London’s mental health and climate crisis together through a coalition of nine partner organisations. The three-year citywide initiative, led by public mental health partnership Thrive LDN will help communities create local climate solutions, develop policies that combine mental health and climate action, and build infrastructure for ongoing efforts and lasting impact with a focus on engaging Londoners who are disproportionately affected. Find out more
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Have your say
Ask your MP to attend the National Emergency Briefing
On 27 November, top experts including UKHACC co-chair Hugh Montgomery, will brief MPs and leaders from business, culture, faith and the media on the escalating climate and nature crisis. We’re helping ensure as many MPs as possible attend this landmark National Emergency Briefing on the climate and nature crises, which will be opened by Chris Packham and chaired by Professor Mike Berners-Lee. Please check whether your MP is signed up, and if not, ask them to be there.
Is your MP attending? Check with your postcode here: www.nebriefing.org.
You can also download a personalised invitation for your MP to email and post on local Facebook groups – a novel way to cut through and attract their attention. More info.
CCRA Technical Report community review
This is a technical one for subject matter experts to review the technical report produced by a consortium of experts led by the Met Office as part of a package of information for the fourth Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA4). The purpose of the technical report is to provide an independent assessment of the risks and opportunities that climate change poses to the UK. The purpose of the review is to ensure the technical report is capturing the breadth of the evidence base in a robust and comprehensive manner, in a way that is useful and usable for audiences. Review is welcome from both potential users and subject matter experts. Have your say
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Opportunities/Get involved
Join a community of health and climate communicators
The health sector has millions of healthcare workers communicating health science through millions of patient interactions every year. Imagine the impact we would have using these interactions to raise awareness of the health implications of climate change. Our Health, Our Planet supports health professionals become one of those communicators. If you feel overwhelmed with resources and don’t know where to start, or you need something to share with colleagues to engage them in discussions, this is the resource for you. In its first year, over 3,500 people from more than 80 countries have engaged with the 30+ specialty and profession specific, evidence-based summary pages on the relationship between climate change and human health and now, with your help, its time to scale up! Print off and share the QR code posters to start your own climate conversations. Get involved
Clean Air Night: Thursday 22 January 2026
Get involved in Clean Air Night and spark the conversation about the health harms of domestic wood burning to ensure everyone has the information they need to protect their health and the environment. Keep up to date with the campaign and find out ways to get involved by signing up to the newsletter , using resources in the comms pack, and checking out the supporters page.
Climate Connect
While COP30 goes on in Brazil, you might be wondering how you can address climate change at a local and national level. Climate Connect is a free online hub designed to help individuals and organisations to: stay informed about policies related to climate and nature; take strategic action; build stronger, more coordinated relationships; develop better relationships with decision makers. Get involved here.
Climate Choir Movement
The Climate Choir Movement started in Bristol in 2022 and has now grown to multiple locations across the UK. The aim of the climate choirs is to provide an opportunity for people to participate in peaceful protests on the climate and nature crisis. The movement has a collective ethos where all are involved in making it thrive. A core group coordinates major activities while local choirs arrange their own events. Get involved
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Events and Courses
Greener Practice new website launch
13.00-13.30 Tuesday 18 November 2025 | Online
In 30 minutes, see how greener healthcare delivers better patient outcomes, cost savings, happier teams, and CQC confidence – all while helping save the planet! This session will provide a quick tour of the new website, packed with ready-to-use quality improvement projects and practical resources, along with user insights and Q&A. Register here.
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Thrive LDN Climate & Mental Health Forum
11.00-12.30 19 November 2025 | Online
The 10th session of this Thrive LDN forum is open to all. It will provide a deep dive on the new National Lottery funded project (see news section) and offers a chance to connect with the London-wide network of 200+ people interested in climate and mental health and exploring how to collaborate across sectors. Email benjamin.rossington@nhs.net for a meeting invite
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People, policy and research power to document and address the health harms of fossil fuels and industry practices
15.30-16.30 GFT (18.30-19.30 GMT) Wednesday 19 November 2025 | In person and Online
A collaboration between the UK Faculty of Public Health, Global Climate and Health Alliance, Amnesty International, Corporate Accountability, International Institute of Sustainable Development, Ad Free Cities and the Fossil Fuel Non-Profileration Treaty, this COP30 side event in the WHO Health Pavillion can be attended in person or online. WHO Pavilion webpage for more.
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Climate change and mental health thematic assessment report
13.30-15.00 Thursday 20 November 2025 | Online
Join the launch of this report by the UK Health Security Agency, which synthesises the evidence base in relation to climate change and mental health for the UK population and explores interventions to support mental health in relation to climate-related events. Register here.
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Time to speak: The Business case for clean air
10.00-11.00 Tuesday 25 November 2025 | Online
Air pollution is the largest environmental heath risk globally, with an economic cost of £27 billion annually. With the UK Government set to review air quality targets in the upcoming Air Quality Strategy, the importance of businesses speaking up for clean air is more important than ever. This event will bring together voices from across business and civil society to explore the latest evidence, how businesses are addressing air pollution, and the role of business advocacy on clean air. Register here.
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Communicate Climate conference
25-27 November 2025 | Manchester, London, Bristol and online
With a theme of ‘Against the Odds’ the long-running communication climate conference brings together professionals from across the UK to define, debate and share best practice. Register here.
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Planetary Health in Cochrane and GRADE
15.00-16.00 Tuesday 2 December 2025 | Online
Health leadership in 2025 means integrating environmental considerations into evidence-based medicine, including the evidence syntheses and clinical guidelines that inform decision-making to ensure a sustainable, resilient and effective healthcare practice that benefits present and future generations. This webinar will focus on methods guidance for considering planetary health in synthesis and guideline development work. Register here.
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Toronto’s equity-based green streets program
13.00-14.00 (EST Canada) Wednesday 3 December 2025 | Online
Learn how Toront is increasing climate resilience, managing stormwater, and reducing the risk of flooding in the city with its equity-based green streets program. Register here.
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Science, evidence and analysis for nature recovery conference
10.00-16.00 4 December 2025 | In person, Leeds
This in-person event hosted by Natural England will explore the science, evidence and analysis needed to recover nature and ensure it continues to underpin our economy and wider society, now and into the future. Presentations will include integrating nature and climate, sustainable development, health and security. Registrations close on 19 November.
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EAT Lancet 2.0: The role of healthcare professionals
13.00-14.00 Wednesday 10 December | Online
Understand the impact of the food system on planetary health and the recommendations of the 2025 EAT Lancet 2.0 report. Register here
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Cooking for the Climate teaching module for Medical Schools
UKHACC member organisation Plant-Based Health Professionals UK offers teaching in medical schools. Their module – Cooking for the Climate – is offered as a Student Selected Component (SSC) in eight UK medical schools. You can download the curriculum here. If you work in a medical school and want to explore offering this module, please contact Shireen Kassam at shireen@pbhp.uk
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Centre for Sustainable Healthcare Courses
Designed for health professionals, educators, and sustainability or estates managers, CSH has a range of courses offering a mix of core concepts, case studies, and the sharing of interdisciplinary perspectives and experiences. Find out more.
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CPDMatch: Climate change education for the healthcare industry
CPDmatch is a not-for-profit website for healthcare professionals, employing organisations and supplier industries to find the educational resources required to deliver net zero sustainable healthcare and become confident in communicating and inspiring others to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. More information is available here
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New resources
Report: The climate footprint of the pharmaceutical sector
This new report examines how the production of medicines and health technologies contribute to climate change, and outlines the measures needed to reduce its impact and strengthen pandemic preparedness. The report reveals that the pharmaceutical industry emits 55% more CO2 per dollar of revenue than the automotive sector, and that up to 40% of these emissions could be reduced without increasing costs by applying cleaner technologies and more efficient manufacturing processes. Read the report.
Report: Health impacts from domestic burning in the UK
This new research, commissioned by Global Action Plan and Hertfordshire County Council, found that air pollution from domestic wood burning contributes to nearly 2,500 deaths each year in the UK, and that stopping non-essential wood burning in UK homes could help save the NHS over £54 million annually. Download the report
Report: Reimagining the Way the World Works
The Future of Sustainability 2024/25 Reimagining the Way the World Works showcases examples of organisations or communities – ‘Bright Spots’ – that are fundamentally reimagining how we live and work, with game-changing potential to create a future in which both people and the planet thrive. Download the report
Report and resources: Medicine Waste in Care Homes
This new report and practical resources from the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare focuses on reducing medicine waste in case homes. Using the SusQI approach, the content was developed with care homes, GPs and pharmacies to identify simple interventions that cut waste, save staff time and meet CQC sustainability expectations. The full report – which includes an executive summary, quick implementation guide, policy recommendations and case studies – is supported by freely available 16-minute educational screencast and accompanying pdf. Access the resources.
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Articles, podcasts, videos
We’ve pulled together a list of recent articles, podcasts and videos worth reading, watching, listening and sharing.
- The combined impact of climate change and conflict can produce synergistic effects, leading to more severe and complex outcomes, experts warn in The BMJ’s special climate issue which features an interview with UKHACC co-chairs Hugh Montgomery and Sandy Mather
- The Outrage and Optimism podcast is doing an excellent series on COP30, including an interviews with key players in the negotiations
- This polling carried out across five European countries found broad opposition to fuelling data centres with fossil energy, and strong support for powering new ones with renewables
- The first episode of the Care machine podcast series on sustainable healthcare features UKHACC Director Elaine Mulcahy and Centre for Sustainable Healthcare Director Rachel Stancliffe about what sustainable healthcare means to them and why we should care about it.
- This blog by the President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists asks what does COP30 mean for women’s health
- This systematic review and thematic analysis reports on behavioural, information and monetary interventions to reduce energy consumption in households
- All the papers published in BMJ Leaders topic collection on Planetary Health Leadership are now free to read for 2 months. Catch up on the latest research, reviews and perspective pieces here. The journal accepts submissions on planetary health leadership all year round, so if you have something to say about planetary health leadership, do consider submitting.
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