INTRODUCTION:
Fossil fuels lead to over 5 million premature deaths annually, adding to the ecological degradation and displacement from extractive activities. Yet, that industry enjoys a powerful social license—sustained by disinformation, sponsorships, and narratives that normalize its presence. The health community has historically confronted harmful industries but lack a comprehensive public health strategy and health equity lens to challenge fossil fuels.

METHODS:
Multi-sectoral workshops involving diverse disciplines, sectors and regions, drawing lessons from past public health victories, were used to prepare a white paper that was tested through deliberative dialogues. This process co-designed an actionable public health strategy integrating health, law, communications and cross-movement solidarity. A complementary strategic health equity lens drew from eight online dialogues involving community to international level in Africa.

RESULTS:
The session discusses strategies that can collectively erode the industry’s social legitimacy, reorient public perception, and strengthen health-sector leadership in transitioning to fossil-free systems: Reframing fossil fuels as a health-harming product —as a determinant of disease, and preventable inequities in health, not solely a climate issue. Connecting health inequities to their underlying causes triggers claims at all levels for cross-sectoral responses. Strategic communications and disinformation counteraction — developing clear, unified narratives and visuals that expose fossil fuel tactics and humanize impacts. Legal and policy mechanisms for accountability — advancing litigation, conflict-of-interest policies, and a call for a global framework to regulate fossil fuel influence. Coalition-building and capacity strengthening — fostering alliances across disciplines and sectors to advance a health-based just transition.

CONCLUSIONS:
The unified, evidence-based, justice- and health equity-oriented approach shared places the public health community in a pivotal role in reframing fossil fuels as a public health emergency. It promotes rights-based advocacy from local to global level to dismantle the fossil fuel social license, protecting against preventable harms for a healthier, sustainable future.