A Public Health Approach to Climate Change
1
Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits Planetary Health Research, Johannesburg, South Africa
2
Family, Community, and Emergency Care, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
3
GroundWork, Durban, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A431
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Climate change is increasingly recognised as the greatest threat to public health, yet global and national responses have limited application of public health methods. Health considerations are frequently absent in climate governance, despite clear evidence that greenhouse gas emissions drive otherwise preventable morbidity and mortality. This panel explores: the justifications and rationale for a health-centred response to climate change; what tools could be applied in the coming decade; and reframing mitigation strategies around the fossil fuel industry as a commercial determinant of health.
METHODS:
The panel draws on lessons from successful public health responses to other health-harming industries (e.g. tobacco, alcohol, and CFCs) and case-based discussions to examine how public health levers could be applied to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change and its health impacts. The panel of 4 includes public health professionals and environmental justice advocates. Perspectives from southern Africa will be foregrounded and contrasted with current global climate-health approaches.
RESULTS:
The session will identify public health strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating health impacts, including: emissions labelling and health warnings on products; taxation based on health and social costs and the polluter pays principle; restrictions on industry influence in policymaking and advertising; fossil fuel divestment; strategic climate-health litigation; classifying carbon emissions as an air pollutant; and declaring a public health emergency of international concern. Presenters will examine the exclusion of health from global climate negotiating mechanisms and review the response of the World Health Organisation, highlighting governance gaps, missed opportunities, and emerging pathways for stronger health leadership.
CONCLUSIONS:
By framing climate change as a preventable, commercially driven, health crisis, this panel presents a bold vision for a public health response to a global crisis. We demonstrate how established public health tools can be mobilised to protect population health and strengthen climate action.
Climate change is increasingly recognised as the greatest threat to public health, yet global and national responses have limited application of public health methods. Health considerations are frequently absent in climate governance, despite clear evidence that greenhouse gas emissions drive otherwise preventable morbidity and mortality. This panel explores: the justifications and rationale for a health-centred response to climate change; what tools could be applied in the coming decade; and reframing mitigation strategies around the fossil fuel industry as a commercial determinant of health.
METHODS:
The panel draws on lessons from successful public health responses to other health-harming industries (e.g. tobacco, alcohol, and CFCs) and case-based discussions to examine how public health levers could be applied to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change and its health impacts. The panel of 4 includes public health professionals and environmental justice advocates. Perspectives from southern Africa will be foregrounded and contrasted with current global climate-health approaches.
RESULTS:
The session will identify public health strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating health impacts, including: emissions labelling and health warnings on products; taxation based on health and social costs and the polluter pays principle; restrictions on industry influence in policymaking and advertising; fossil fuel divestment; strategic climate-health litigation; classifying carbon emissions as an air pollutant; and declaring a public health emergency of international concern. Presenters will examine the exclusion of health from global climate negotiating mechanisms and review the response of the World Health Organisation, highlighting governance gaps, missed opportunities, and emerging pathways for stronger health leadership.
CONCLUSIONS:
By framing climate change as a preventable, commercially driven, health crisis, this panel presents a bold vision for a public health response to a global crisis. We demonstrate how established public health tools can be mobilised to protect population health and strengthen climate action.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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