Organized by the Global Cities Hub on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly, the event “Climate change, health and cities: From global commitments to local impact” explored how cities can help translate global commitments taken by States in the WHO Global Action Plan on Climate Change and Health into concrete action on the ground. The multilevel composition of the panel ignited an insightful exchange.
Cities are on the front line of climate impacts, facing increasing heatwaves, air pollution, flooding, food insecurity and health-related emergencies. At the same time, they are also where many of the solutions already exist. Urban authorities are uniquely positioned to implement practical measures to address both climate and health related challenges through housing, mobility, green spaces, emergency preparedness and local public health systems.
Main takeaways
- Global climate and health objectives cannot be achieved without cities. As such, city-led experiences should increasingly inform global policy discussions through multilevel governance processes.
- Inclusion of LRGs in policymaking is essential for the effective implementation of the WHO Global Action Plan on Climate Change and Health.
- As countries prepare to review progress on this Global Action Plan at the next World Health Assembly (May 2027), it is important to recognize cities not only as implementers, but also as essential partners in global climate and health governance.
Policy discussion
On behalf of WHO, Dr. Sophie Gumy highlighted the growing efforts of the organization to support climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems. She emphasized that cities are particularly exposed to climate risks, while also playing a critical role in mitigation and adaptation strategies. While WHO has been designed to work with States, nothing prevents it from partnering with cities. She therefore introduced the health and climate city profiles (piloted in 6 cities), as well as relevant tools and initiatives for cities (health risk of climate change assessment, urban health initiative, “Beat the Heat” campaign aimed at protecting populations from extreme heat and related risks, such as air pollution and UV exposure).
The Ambassador of Peru, Mr. Elmer Schialer Salcedo, reflected on Peru’s support for the adoption of the Global Action Plan and underlined how climate change directly affects health, water security and political stability. He stressed the importance of empowering municipalities and regional governments to respond effectively to climate emergencies. He also highlighted the importance of combining international cooperation with strong domestic political commitment and financing, emphasizing that sustainable climate action and health policies must ultimately be supported at national and local levels.
Speaking for the European Union, Ambassador Deike Potzel noted that Europe is the fastest-heating continent and highlighted the increasing pressure that climate change places on health systems, particularly in aging populations. She presented several EU initiatives, including the European Climate and Health Observatory and the EU Agenda for Cities, which aim to strengthen cooperation between institutions, researchers and local authorities on the climate-health issue. The discussion also highlighted examples of nature-based solutions implemented in European cities and measures to improve the climate resilience of healthcare infrastructure.
Councillor Tony Fitzgerald from Cork, Ireland, presented the city’s experience as a WHO Healthy City and shared local initiatives focused on food systems (community gardens), air quality, housing retrofits and active mobility. He stressed that climate and health policies must be rooted in community participation and everyday realities. Fitzgerald also highlighted the upcoming Mayors’ Summit on Climate and Health, to be hosted in Cork in October 2026, which aims to connect local experiences with broader European and global policy discussions.
From İzmir, Türkiye, Deputy Secretary General Dr. Pinar Okyay presented the city’s “One Health” approach, which integrates human, environmental, and animal health and incorporates it into local governance. She highlighted initiatives supporting food security, local supply chains, community gardens and climate resilience training, particularly for women and vulnerable communities.
Sir Andrew Haines, co-chair of the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health highlighted the European continent was already significantly impacted in terms of food security, heat-related deaths, and the spread of vector-borne diseases such as dengue. Stronger and more coordinated action is urgently needed, including recognizing climate change as a public health emergency, transforming health systems to become more resilient and sustainable, and reforming economic systems that continue to subsidize fossil fuels. Sir Haines underscored the critical role of cities and communities in driving effective climate and health solutions through policies on transport, housing, green spaces, food systems, and urban planning and he encouraged them to address health and climate as political priorities.
Throughout the discussion, speakers repeatedly stressed that climate and health policies cannot succeed without stronger multilevel governance and closer cooperation between local, national and international actors.
Several common challenges emerged during the discussion, including limited access to financing for local governments, institutional barriers preventing cities from directly participating in global governance processes, and the need for stronger urban data and evidence to support policymaking.
The event concluded with a clear message: if global climate and health commitments are to produce measurable improvements in people’s daily lives, cities must be recognized as indispensable partners in shaping and implementing solutions.
As preparations begin for the review of the WHO Global Action Plan on Climate Change and Health at WHA80 in May 2027, the Global Cities Hub hopes that local experiences and city-led initiatives will increasingly inform international policymaking and contribute to building healthier, more resilient and more sustainable communities.