Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 hr ago
Climate plans from major emitters give little attention to health
A new scorecard found that lower-income countries led on health in climate plans, taking 19 of the top 20 places.
The Global Climate and Health Alliance assessed 117 national plans, including one shared by the European Union, for how they address risks such as heatstroke, disease and damage to health services.
Ten large economies scored fewer than 10 of 32 points; together, they produce more than 60% of global emissions.
India scored two points, and its plan does not name any air pollutant.
These national commitments are made under the Paris Agreement, and countries must update them every five years.
Fewer than one in 10 plans price health harms, and only two estimate the return on protecting people.
The plans set out action through 2035, but current commitments fall well short of the emissions cuts needed to limit warming to 1.5°C; governments are expected to bring them into focus at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
A new scorecard found that major economies responsible for more than half of global emissions give little attention to health in their climate plans.
Low- and middle-income countries took 19 of the top 20 places among 117 plans assessed by the Global Climate and Health Alliance.
Fewer than one in 10 plans put a price on climate change’s health toll, and only two calculate the return on protecting people from it.
India scored two points out of 32, while the 10 highest-scoring countries produce about 1.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The plans set out countries’ emissions cuts and protections through 2035 ahead of COP31, which opens in Antalya, Türkiye, on 9 November.
- Who
- The Global Climate and Health Alliance assessed 117 national climate plans. Major economies including China, the United States, India, Russia and Saudi Arabia scored poorly.
- What
- A scorecard found that most major emitters give little attention to health in their climate plans.
- When
- The scorecard was released the week of 18 October 2026. The plans set out commitments through 2035.
- Where
- The plans were filed with the United Nations. The findings were presented at the Geneva Graduate Institute; COP31 is due to open in Antalya, Türkiye.
- Why
- The scorecard examined how plans address health risks from climate change and measures to protect people and health services.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Paris Agreement established the framework under which countries make climate commitments known as Nationally Determined Contributions.
The UN climate body’s tally covered the first 64 new plans submitted by that month.
The Global Climate and Health Alliance released its scorecard assessing 117 plans.
COP31 is scheduled to open in Antalya, Türkiye.
- Plans assessed
- 117, including a joint plan for the European Union’s 27 member states
- Top-ranked countries
- Low- and middle-income countries took 19 of the top 20 places
- Highest score
- Colombia, 29 out of 32 points
- India’s score
- 2 points out of 32
- Top 10 countries’ emissions
- About 1.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions
- COP31 opening
- 9 November in Antalya, Türkiye
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not only mentioned in NDCs, but actually integrated