More than 540,000 people die each year from extreme heat, with climate change placing unprecedented strain on hospitals and health systems worldwide, according to a new special report released at COP30 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of Brazil.
The COP30 Special Report on Health and Climate Change: Delivering the Belém Health Action Plan shared to Journalists on Friday warns that the global health crisis driven by rising temperatures is already unfolding, with one in twelve hospitals at risk of climate-related shutdowns.
The report coincides with the launch of the Belém Health Action Plan, unveiled on COP30’s dedicated Health Day, 13 November 2025.
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“The climate crisis is a health crisis – not in the distant future, but here and now,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.
“This special report provides evidence on the impact of climate change on individuals and health systems, and real-world examples of what countries can do – and are doing – to protect health and strengthen health systems.”
The report highlights that 3.3 to 3.6 billion people already live in areas highly vulnerable to climate change, and hospitals now face 41% higher risk of damage from extreme weather than in 1990.
Without rapid action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the number of health facilities at risk could double by mid-century, while the health sector itself contributes around 5% of global emissions.
Experts stress that adaptation measures are critical. Only 54% of national health adaptation plans assess risks to facilities, and fewer than 30% consider income, 20% consider gender, and less than 1% include people with disabilities.
“Protecting health systems is one of the smartest investments any country can make,” said Professor Nick Watts, Chair of the Expert Advisory Group. “Allocating just 7% of adaptation finance to health could safeguard billions of people and keep essential services operating during climate shocks.”
The report also notes progress: the number of countries with national Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) doubled between 2015 and 2023, now covering about two-thirds of the global population, though only 46% of Least Developed Countries and 39% of Small Island Developing States have effective systems.
The Belém Health Action Plan focuses on health equity, climate justice, and resilient health systems, with three key lines of action: surveillance and monitoring, evidence-based policies and capacity-building, and innovation in digital health and technology.
Brazilian Health Minister Alexandre Padilha emphasised that “recent tragedies show now is the time to implement policies that address climate impacts on health. The Belém Health Action Plan provides tools for translating evidence into action.”
The WHO-Brazil report urges governments to integrate health into climate policies, invest in resilient infrastructure, and empower communities to shape responses that reflect lived realities—steps seen as critical to averting further loss of life from heat and climate-driven health crises.
