The World Health Organization (WHO) just got accredited by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This fund, created under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, aims to support global climate finance. With this new accreditation, WHO can access important funding to help communities deal with climate-related health issues.
Dr. Ruediger Krech from WHO emphasized the importance of blending climate action with health initiatives. He stated, “Climate and health action saves lives.” He highlighted that this funding will help the health sector respond effectively to climate challenges while being mindful of emissions.
WHO has been a key player in climate and health policy for over 25 years. With projects in more than 30 countries, its partnerships with health ministries make it well-equipped to tackle climate-related health challenges. By collaborating with the GCF, WHO aims to roll out programs that protect health while also promoting sustainability.
In recent years, there’s been a significant push to integrate health concerns into climate action. WHO’s climate health focus was officially recognized in its Fourteenth General Programme of Work for 2025-2028. Moreover, health became a central theme at various UN Climate Change Conferences, showcasing the growing recognition of how climate and health are interconnected.
Dr. Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, another WHO expert, voiced the need for climate financing. “It’s crucial for addressing the climate-health crisis,” he said, underscoring that low- and middle-income countries particularly need access to these funds to build sustainable health systems.
Despite efforts, there’s still a huge gap in funding. Recently, it was reported that only 2% of adaptation funding and a mere 0.5% of multilateral climate funding were directed towards health initiatives. This highlights a major challenge: while health is a priority in 91% of national climate action plans, only a few are taking specific steps to maximize health benefits from climate strategies.
With its new accreditation, WHO is set to take advantage of this opportunity to link health and climate finance more effectively. It plans to empower national health ministries to develop resilient health systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance regional climate-health actions.
This shift not only changes how climate projects are planned but also ensures they consider health equity. With WHO at the helm, these multisectoral efforts are geared to make a real difference in communities worldwide, ultimately transforming the landscape of public health in the face of climate change.
For more on the Green Climate Fund and its initiatives, check out their official website.
