Over 35 Philanthropies Unite for Climate and Health Solutions with $300 Million Fund
In a groundbreaking initiative announced during COP30 in Belém, Brazil, more than 35 prominent philanthropies have rallied to form the Climate and Health Funders Coalition, pledging an initial investment of $300 million to confront the escalating public health crisis instigated by climate change. This urgent collaboration aims to address the dire consequences that climate change has inflicted on human health, risking the well-being of at least 3.3 billion people globally, especially in lower-income nations.
The coalition’s commitment is timely and pressing. The past decade has recorded unprecedented global temperatures, which are projected to stay at alarming levels for the foreseeable future. Climate health specialists have issued stark warnings—exceeding a 1.5°C increase in average global temperatures could trigger severe climate impacts and extreme weather phenomena, with dire repercussions for human health. Rising temperatures contribute to increased air pollution, intensified heatwaves, deteriorating nutrition, threats to maternal health, and the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue.
By mobilizing $300 million, the coalition aims to accelerate research, policy innovation, and the development of solutions to address climate-induced health issues like extreme heat and airborne illnesses. The funds will additionally bolster health systems by integrating critical climate and health data, enabling them to be more resilient and resourceful in facing ongoing challenges.
Among the coalition's prominent members are Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Gates Foundation, the IKEA Foundation, and the Rockefeller Foundation, working together to implement the ambitious Belém Health Action Plan. This plan is a transformative framework advocating for human health at the forefront of global climate action, focusing on vulnerabilities that the marginalized populations face due to climate adversities.
In their first funding phase, the coalition is prioritizing initiatives to counteract extreme heat, improve air quality, and mitigate climate-sensitive infectious diseases. The experts note that without substantial action to curtail greenhouse gas emissions and enhance health infrastructure, the climate crisis will exacerbate health risks globally and impede access to care—particularly in already vulnerable communities.
Recent data from the Lancet Countdown Report on Health and Climate Change has illuminated an alarming trend: heat-related fatalities have surged by 23% since the 1990s, attributing to approximately 546,000 deaths annually, while wildfire smoke linked to air pollution accounted for a staggering 154,000 deaths in 2024 alone.
John-Arne Røttingen, CEO of the Wellcome Trust, emphasized the need for immediate action: “The warnings from scientists on climate change have manifested into reality. Every individual is affected differently, with vulnerable populations bearing the heaviest burden. Thus, the collaborative effort of this coalition is essential to achieve swift and effective solutions that can save lives and livelihoods.”
The Climate and Health Funders Coalition aims to set shared goals, harness robust scientific data, and align funding strategies to respond effectively to the most pressing climate and health challenges. A key element of their strategy involves shifting power and resources towards communities most affected, ensuring that efforts are concentrated where they are most needed.
Philanthropists recognize that addressing climate change is paramount to protecting human health and building sustainable futures. Antha Williams, leading the Environment Program at Bloomberg Philanthropies, highlighted the inseparable link between health and environmental protection, stating, “Through the Climate and Health Funders Coalition, we unite philanthropy to expedite pollution reduction efforts while enhancing overall quality of life.”
Statistics narrate a harsh reality where approximately half of the world’s children reside in nations profoundly impacted by climate risks, facing threats like inadequate health care, poor nutrition, and disease spread. Hence, the philanthropic community's synergistic approach seeks to explore integrated health and climate solutions, positing that a collective response could yield significant improvements for individuals and the planet. Jessica Anderen, CEO of IKEA Foundation, stated, “As we emphasize health alongside our climate initiatives, we build a resilient future that bears the promise of enhance health for all.”
The collective commitment of philanthropies in the face of climate threats illustrates a powerful coalition united for humanity's health and the sustainability of our planet. By advancing the integration of health and climate action, they aim to achieve not just immediate benefits but also long-term resilience for communities, nurturing both people and the environment.
To learn more about the Climate and Health Funders Coalition and its initiatives, visit their website at https://wellcome.org/engagement-and-advocacy/advocacy-and-partnerships/climate-health-funders-coalition.
The coalition’s commitment is timely and pressing. The past decade has recorded unprecedented global temperatures, which are projected to stay at alarming levels for the foreseeable future. Climate health specialists have issued stark warnings—exceeding a 1.5°C increase in average global temperatures could trigger severe climate impacts and extreme weather phenomena, with dire repercussions for human health. Rising temperatures contribute to increased air pollution, intensified heatwaves, deteriorating nutrition, threats to maternal health, and the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue.
By mobilizing $300 million, the coalition aims to accelerate research, policy innovation, and the development of solutions to address climate-induced health issues like extreme heat and airborne illnesses. The funds will additionally bolster health systems by integrating critical climate and health data, enabling them to be more resilient and resourceful in facing ongoing challenges.
Among the coalition's prominent members are Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Gates Foundation, the IKEA Foundation, and the Rockefeller Foundation, working together to implement the ambitious Belém Health Action Plan. This plan is a transformative framework advocating for human health at the forefront of global climate action, focusing on vulnerabilities that the marginalized populations face due to climate adversities.
In their first funding phase, the coalition is prioritizing initiatives to counteract extreme heat, improve air quality, and mitigate climate-sensitive infectious diseases. The experts note that without substantial action to curtail greenhouse gas emissions and enhance health infrastructure, the climate crisis will exacerbate health risks globally and impede access to care—particularly in already vulnerable communities.
Recent data from the Lancet Countdown Report on Health and Climate Change has illuminated an alarming trend: heat-related fatalities have surged by 23% since the 1990s, attributing to approximately 546,000 deaths annually, while wildfire smoke linked to air pollution accounted for a staggering 154,000 deaths in 2024 alone.
John-Arne Røttingen, CEO of the Wellcome Trust, emphasized the need for immediate action: “The warnings from scientists on climate change have manifested into reality. Every individual is affected differently, with vulnerable populations bearing the heaviest burden. Thus, the collaborative effort of this coalition is essential to achieve swift and effective solutions that can save lives and livelihoods.”
The Climate and Health Funders Coalition aims to set shared goals, harness robust scientific data, and align funding strategies to respond effectively to the most pressing climate and health challenges. A key element of their strategy involves shifting power and resources towards communities most affected, ensuring that efforts are concentrated where they are most needed.
Philanthropists recognize that addressing climate change is paramount to protecting human health and building sustainable futures. Antha Williams, leading the Environment Program at Bloomberg Philanthropies, highlighted the inseparable link between health and environmental protection, stating, “Through the Climate and Health Funders Coalition, we unite philanthropy to expedite pollution reduction efforts while enhancing overall quality of life.”
Statistics narrate a harsh reality where approximately half of the world’s children reside in nations profoundly impacted by climate risks, facing threats like inadequate health care, poor nutrition, and disease spread. Hence, the philanthropic community's synergistic approach seeks to explore integrated health and climate solutions, positing that a collective response could yield significant improvements for individuals and the planet. Jessica Anderen, CEO of IKEA Foundation, stated, “As we emphasize health alongside our climate initiatives, we build a resilient future that bears the promise of enhance health for all.”
The collective commitment of philanthropies in the face of climate threats illustrates a powerful coalition united for humanity's health and the sustainability of our planet. By advancing the integration of health and climate action, they aim to achieve not just immediate benefits but also long-term resilience for communities, nurturing both people and the environment.
To learn more about the Climate and Health Funders Coalition and its initiatives, visit their website at https://wellcome.org/engagement-and-advocacy/advocacy-and-partnerships/climate-health-funders-coalition.
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