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The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that climate change is increasingly threatening public health, but says governments could prevent approximately 1.6 million deaths every year by expanding six proven climate and health interventions. The organisation made the announcement in a new report examining the potential health, environmental and economic benefits of coordinated action against climate-related risks.
According to the WHO, implementing the recommended measures globally could also generate approximately $3.9 trillion in annual economic welfare benefits and an additional $5.4 trillion in fiscal benefits. The findings highlight how policies designed to protect the environment can also improve public health, strengthen economies and reduce pressure on healthcare systems.
The report, titled Global Benefits and Costs of Prioritized Actions on Climate Change and Health, was released on November 4, 2026, ahead of the United Nations climate conference, COP31. It provides an economic assessment of six interventions recommended by the WHO and other international guidance, showing how investment in climate-related health protection could deliver substantial long-term returns.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the climate crisis is also a health crisis, but stressed that many of its harmful effects can be prevented using solutions that are already available. He called on governments, development partners and financing institutions to make health protection a central part of climate policies and investment decisions.
The six recommended interventions include heat-health warning systems, climate-resilient drinking-water services, basic sanitation, hygiene and handwashing facilities, cleaner household fuels and technologies for cooking and heating, and more efficient fossil fuel pricing policies. The WHO believes that expanding these measures could help countries reduce preventable illnesses and deaths while addressing some of the environmental conditions that contribute to poor health.
Heat-health warning systems are particularly important as temperatures continue to rise in many parts of the world. Extreme heat can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, while also worsening existing health conditions. Older people, young children, outdoor workers and individuals with certain medical conditions can face especially serious risks during prolonged periods of high temperatures.
The WHO report identifies heat-health warning systems as one of the most cost-beneficial measures assessed. It estimates that every US$1 invested in these systems could generate approximately US$835 in benefits. Such systems can help authorities identify dangerous heat conditions early, issue public warnings and prepare healthcare facilities to respond to periods of extreme temperatures.
Governments can use weather forecasts, public announcements and health advice to help communities prepare for dangerous heat. Employers can also introduce measures to protect outdoor workers, while hospitals and emergency services can strengthen their readiness during periods when heat-related illnesses are expected to increase.
Access to safe drinking water is another major part of the WHO’s recommendations. Climate change can affect water availability and quality through droughts, floods, changing rainfall patterns and damage to infrastructure. When communities lose reliable access to clean water, the risks of waterborne diseases and other health problems can increase.
The organisation therefore recommends climate-resilient drinking-water services that can continue operating during environmental disruptions. Investment in reliable water infrastructure, treatment facilities and effective monitoring can help protect communities from contamination and shortages. These measures are particularly important in areas where extreme weather events frequently affect public services.
Sanitation and handwashing facilities also play an essential role in preventing disease. Poor sanitation can expose people to harmful microorganisms, while inadequate access to handwashing facilities makes it more difficult to maintain basic hygiene. The WHO’s recommendations include expanding basic sanitation services and access to hygiene facilities as part of wider climate and public health planning.
Cleaner household energy is another priority identified in the report. Millions of households still rely on polluting fuels and technologies for cooking and heating. Burning these fuels indoors can expose families to harmful air pollution, increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.
The transition to cleaner cooking and heating technologies could reduce household air pollution and help prevent avoidable deaths. It could also reduce pressure on natural resources in communities that depend heavily on traditional fuels. However, making this transition possible requires affordable energy alternatives, reliable infrastructure and policies that allow low-income households to access cleaner technologies.
The sixth intervention focuses on more efficient fossil fuel pricing policies. The WHO recommends measures such as removing inefficient fossil fuel subsidies and applying appropriate taxes to these fuels. According to the report, these policies could deliver the largest estimated health and economic gains among the six interventions assessed.
The organisation estimates that efficient fossil fuel pricing policies could prevent approximately 1.2 million deaths annually. They could also generate about US$3 trillion in economic welfare benefits and US$5.4 trillion in fiscal benefits every year.
These policies can influence the cost of energy and encourage a shift towards cleaner alternatives. Reducing pollution associated with fossil fuel use can bring public health benefits, particularly in communities exposed to poor air quality. However, governments would need to consider the potential effects of energy price changes on households and businesses, especially people with limited incomes.
The report estimates that the six interventions could collectively help avoid 16.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. This represents approximately 31 per cent of global annual greenhouse gas emissions when emissions from land use, land-use change and forestry are excluded.
The findings also suggest that investing in climate and health measures can provide substantial financial returns. Across five of the interventions assessed through benefit-cost analysis, every US$1 invested is estimated to deliver US$24 in benefits. The WHO says the potential gains are particularly significant for low- and middle-income countries, where climate-related health risks and gaps in essential services can be especially severe.
Despite the projected benefits, the organisation acknowledges that achieving these results would require ambitious global implementation. The estimates are based on modelled scenarios comparing expanded intervention coverage with situations in which the measures are not scaled up. Actual outcomes will depend on funding, government decisions, local conditions and the ability of countries to implement the recommended policies.
The findings come as climate-related health concerns continue to attract international attention. Rising temperatures, droughts, floods and other extreme weather events can affect food production, water supplies, housing and access to healthcare. These pressures can increase the vulnerability of communities that already face limited resources and inadequate public services.
A separate 2026 Lancet Countdown report, produced by an international research collaboration, also highlighted the growing health effects of climate change. According to the WHO’s summary of the report, annual average heat-related deaths increased by nearly 36 per cent in the years following the Paris Agreement compared with the previous decade. It also reported that heat was linked to approximately 710,000 deaths globally in 2023.
These figures underline why climate action is increasingly being discussed as a public health priority rather than solely an environmental issue. Policies that reduce pollution, improve access to essential services and prepare communities for extreme weather can have direct effects on people’s health and quality of life.
The WHO is urging governments to use the new economic evidence when preparing climate commitments and deciding how public resources should be allocated. The organisation believes health considerations should be included in decisions across sectors such as energy, transport, housing, water, sanitation and urban development.
For developing countries, implementing the recommendations may require additional financial and technical support. Many communities face overlapping challenges, including limited access to clean water, unreliable electricity, inadequate sanitation and healthcare facilities that are vulnerable to extreme weather. International cooperation and targeted investment could help address these gaps.
COP31, scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026, provides an important opportunity for governments to discuss climate commitments and financing. The WHO wants health protection to receive greater attention during these discussions, particularly as countries consider how to turn existing climate promises into practical action.
The organisation’s message is that governments do not necessarily need to wait for new technologies before making progress. Many of the interventions identified in its report are already available, but their benefits depend on whether countries invest in them and expand access to the people who need them.
Ultimately, the WHO’s estimate that six climate and health actions could save 1.6 million lives every year presents a significant case for stronger cooperation between environmental and public health authorities. Expanding heat-warning systems, improving water and sanitation services, supporting cleaner household energy and adopting more effective fossil fuel policies could help protect millions of people while delivering wider economic benefits.
The challenge now is implementation. Governments, financial institutions and development partners will need to translate the report’s recommendations into practical programmes, sustainable funding and measurable results. As climate-related risks continue to affect communities around the world, placing public health at the centre of climate action could help prevent avoidable deaths and build healthier, more resilient societies.
