Bridging climate action and global health: Insights from UNGA and NYC Climate Week

Last week, our team had the privilege of participating in #UNGA2024 and New York Climate Week. These pivotal events brought together global leaders, experts, and innovators to address the world's most pressing challenges. Our Head of Programs and Impact Transparency Nalini Tarakeshwar and one of our Health Program Directors Marissa Leffler were on the ground, engaging in crucial discussions that underscored the intricate link between climate action and global health. 

Nalini joined the Mangrove Breakthrough Advisory Council for Breaking Silos: Uniting Policy, Finance, and Action for Mangroves, spoke on a panel with our partner Perkins School for the Blind on mobilizing support to make learning inclusive, and participated in a discussion with the Bezos Earth Fund with a goal to design the blueprint for a nature pledge.   

Marissa facilitated a roundtable on blended finance in healthcare with Devex , Vodafone Foundation , and MSD for Mothers and joined several talks and meetings about building the resiliency of the health workforce through partnerships and collective action. 

Their key takeaway from the week was the urgent need to break down the silos. This is especially relevant when we look at how the health and climate fields currently work together. Here’s a few insights into how else we can make the most impact as we move forward. 

Climate and health: Inseparable challenges 

The increasing importance of addressing the overlap between climate and health initiatives emerged as a central theme throughout the events. As global temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, the impact on human health is undeniable. From heat-related illnesses to the spread of infectious diseases, climate change is rapidly becoming one of the most significant public health challenges of our time. 

It was encouraging to see an emphasis on the need for a unified approach to climate and health challenges echoed by several stakeholders across events. Investments in climate resilience are, in essence, investments in public health, and vice versa. This holistic perspective is crucial for developing effective strategies that protect both our planet and its people. 

Community health workers (CHW): The frontline of climate resilience 

One of the most promising developments discussed was the success of community-based health worker initiatives. These dedicated individuals are often the first line of defense in both health crises and climate-related emergencies. Their deep understanding of local communities makes them invaluable assets in delivering care and disseminating crucial information. 

Marissa participated in talks about building the resiliency of the health workforce through partnerships and collective action. The discussions highlighted the need to scale these initiatives through both public and private investment. By empowering CHWs, we not only improve health outcomes but also enhance community resilience to climate-related challenges. 

It's especially worth noting that women make up 70% of the CHW workforce. Addressing gender-based challenges like violence and ensuring equitable support for these workers—including fair pay—is crucial for the success and sustainability of these programs. 

Innovative financing: Blending resources for greater impact 

Another recurring theme in our discussions was the potential of blended finance to drive progress in both health and climate initiatives.

This innovative approach combines public, private, and philanthropic resources to fund projects that have both social and financial returns. By leveraging diverse funding sources, we can develop more comprehensive and sustainable solutions that benefit both people and the planet. 

Nalini attended discussions on how multilateral development banks (MDBs) are implementing blended finance to address climate issues. There is clear recognition of the need to mobilize private capital (including from philanthropy), especially as governments are facing increasing debt. However, private capital mobilization varies widely among MDBs today and transaction volumes are not very high. Barriers include the bespoke nature of blended finance products, lack of pipeline or project information and regulatory constraints. Many expressed a need for simpler products that can be easily understood, are scalable, and have liquidity. A call for greater collaboration among MDBs, developmental financial institutions, domestic/ government actors, and philanthropy was expressed.  

Partnerships for progress: Working together to drive change 

Throughout their week in New York, our team engaged with various stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, and private sector leaders, to explore collaborative opportunities for addressing global challenges.  

For example, Nalini joined discussions with the Mangrove Breakthrough Advisory Council, focusing on breaking silos and uniting policy, finance, and action for mangrove conservation. This initiative exemplifies how environmental protection directly contributes to both climate resilience and public health outcomes.  When it comes to nature, government involvement must go beyond the Ministry of Environment, to that of Finance, Health, Energy, Tourism, Fisheries and so on. This is not easy, as each have their own agenda and targets. Hence, it’s critical to engage relevant policymakers from the start—and at a local, national and regional level—to facilitate inter-governmental collaboration as part of any effort. 

The Blue Economy: Protecting our oceans, protecting ourselves 

An interesting area of discussion was the burgeoning Blue Economy and its potential to protect biodiversity at scale. Our team participated in talks about accelerating its creation, recognizing the crucial role it can play in both climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. 

Initiatives like mangrove forest conservation not only sequester carbon but also provide natural barriers against storm surges and flooding, directly impacting community health and resilience. By investing in our oceans and coastal ecosystems to scale innovative solutions, we can simultaneously help address climate change and safeguard public health in vulnerable coastal communities. 

As we reflect on #UNGA2024 and NYC Climate Week, it's clear that the path forward requires an integrated approach to climate action and global health. 

By fostering innovative partnerships, embracing new financing models, and breaking down silos, we can create solutions that address the complex, interconnected challenges of our time. 

Learn more about how we can work collectively to build a healthier, more resilient world for all >> www.ubs.com/optimus. 

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