Review of health in national adaptation plans
Climate change has significant impacts on health both directly, such as injury and death from extreme weather events, or heat illnesses from temperature increases, and indirectly, including malnutrition, increased spread of vector-borne diseases, and impacts on mental health. As part of the response to the threats posed by climate change across all sectors, the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process was established to build resilience to climate change across economies, societies and ecosystems over the medium and longer term. This WHO review analyses 19 of the 20 NAP documents submitted to NAP Central by 31 December 2020, the UNFCCC’s NAP portal, to assess the extent to which health was considered in adaptation planning processes. The review found that all NAPs highlight health as a priority sector vulnerable to climate change, however, the extent to which the health risks are considered and addressed varies.
Related Content
- Building resilience with nature: maximizing ecosystem-based adaptation through national adaptation plan processes
- Building resilience with nature: ecosystem-based adaptation in National Adaptation Plan Processes
- The Sustainable Development Goals report 2017
- The Year of Opportunity for a Sustainable Future
- Monthly Overview on State of Environment, Pakistan, December 2013