CliMigHealth at COP27: Events and Insider Views

The 27th UN Climate Change Conference in Egypt in November this year has to deliver on what is needed to implement the Paris Rulebook effectively, to sustain the promise of Glasgow (COP26) of keeping ‘1.5 degrees alive’ and, most importantly, deliver for those most vulnerable to climate change. Therefore, the focus of this year’s conference is particularly on loss and damage in addition to mitigation.

A CliMigHealth delegation and several member (institutions) will organize events and present on various topics related to the climate-migration-health nexus. Our network is involved in events that focus particularly on mental health impacts of climate change, climate migration and human mobility, accelerating adaptation through innovation and development themes, and education for health professionals.

 

Emphasis on research and education in Africa

With the Climate Conference being held in Africa this year, increased attention should be directed towards protecting and providing structural support for communities in this region, who are hardest hit by climate change, yet have the least responsibility in its root causes.

A substantial part of our network members are African researchers and NGO representatives, who do work work on mitigation and adaptation to climate change in their communities. We particularly focus on better education on the impact of climate (migration) on health for future health professionals in Africa within the Planetary Health Framework. Our COP27 campaign is therefore directed towards supporting better education on climate change in the African region, as this will be the cornerstone to better prepare our future health professionals for the challenges we will face in the context of climate change.

An overview of our projects in Africa can be consulted here and publications here.

Read our COP27 position statement on integrating planetary health and environmental sustainability into African health professions education curricula.

Read this editorial where 250 journals urge world leaders to deliver climate action for Africa, that our member Prof. Bob Mash co-authored. Find the explanatory video here.

 

Follow us for updates and insider perspectives

Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, in our Medium.com blog, and via UNU-CRIS who is our communication partner for this event.

 

Key events (all in EGT)

You can watch livestreams of COP28 UAE Pavilion and side events on the UN Climate Change events channel.

November 9, 2022

Just Energy Transition for Africa co-hosted by Stellenbosch University and the South African Presidential Climate Commission. Series of events for Global Alliance of Universities on Climate; 10-11:00 at China Pavilion Blue Zone. With Guy Midgley.

November 10, 2022

Future Labs: Transforming health systems through decarbonization and resilience; 16:30 and 17:00 at WHO Pavilion. With Patricia Schwerdtle.

Sharm el Sheikh Adaptation Solutions: Opportunities to Accelerate the Race to Resilience; 12.00-13.30 at COP27 IBIS Room (Plenary Room). With Jennifer Uchendu.

November 11, 2022

Advancing rights-based protection of climate migrants; 11:30-13:00 at the Blue Zone, Room Akhenaton. With Robert Oakes. More info here.

Addressing Climate-Related Human Mobility & Scaling up Resilience of Vulnerable Groups; 11:30-12:30 at Climate Mobility Pavilion. With Kees Van Der Gees.

November 12, 2022

Climate change, migration and health: Strengthening evidence to leave no-one behind; 11:30 at WHO health Pavilion. With Patricia Schwerdtle.

UNU System Side event COP 27: Multifaceted Impacts of Climate Change on Mental Health – Towards Integrated Climate Services; 11:30-13:00 at Room Thebes (150). With Nidhi Nagabhatla, Sanae Okamoto, Robert Oakes and Charlotte Scheerens. More info here.

Integrating human mobility in National Adaptation Plans and Nationally determined contributions; 3:00-4:00 at the Climate Mobility Pavilion. With Kees Van Der Gees.

Development panel; 12:30 (more details to be announced soon). With Nidhi Nagabhatla.

November 16, 2022

Climate change and gender-based violence as double threat to gender equality; part of EIB and Benelux program; 17:30-19:00 at Pavilion in Blue Zone – Zone D, location P87. With Nidhi Nagabhatla.

November 17, 2022

Accelerating Climate Change Adaptation Action through Innovation; 11-12:00 at UN Climate Change Global Innovation Hub Pavillon Sessions. With Tambe Honourine.

Official UNFCCC Side event: on Pathways to Climate & Health Justice: Towards Resilient & Just Health Systems. Side event in collaboration with C21st, AMREF, Lancet Countdown and Race & Health; 11:30-13:00 at Room 6. With Rita Issa as supporting organizer.

A Healthy Prescription for a Green New Deal; 3:30 at the Health Pavilion. With Rita Issa as supporting organizer.

 

CliMigHealth members present at COP27