The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan from the 11 – 22 November 2024. Building on the momentum from COP28, which introduced the first ever Health Day and saw 151 parties endorse the UAE Declaration on Climate and Health, this COP provides an opportunity to continue profiling health in climate discussions and pushing for the integration of health into all climate policies. 

Health will take centre stage on the 18 November as a thematic focus, alongside Human Development, Children and Youth, and Education, as well as featuring in multiple high-level events throughout the conference, including at a dedicated Health Pavilion. The World Health Organization has also published its COP29 Special Report on Climate Change and Health, highlighting health as the argument for climate action.

LSHTM researchers will be actively engaging with COP29, bringing our expertise in planetary health to the global climate agenda. Our scientists will highlight the need for effective adaptation measures alongside a rapid and just phase out of fossil fuels, supported by adequate financing, to address the climate crisis and capitalise on the near-term health benefits of climate action.  

Find out how LSHTM is pioneering health solutions for a changing planet:

LSHTM experts will present scientific evidence to inform and support policies towards a healthier, more sustainable future at a range of events at COP29. Topics will include the health impacts of environmental change on women, children, and youth; inclusive climate adaptation and mitigation solutions; healthcare system resilience; sustainable school meals; healthy cities; and the health co-benefits of climate actions. 

Find us at COP29 at the following events (shown in Baku time, GMT+4):

12 November

Deep-Dive with Global Goal on Adaptation Experts at COP29

• Location: Virtual
• Organisers: Climate Action Network (CAN) and Women, Gender and Youth Constituencies (WGC)
• LSHTM speaker: Rachel Juel (online)
• Event Overview: This event will involve a discussion with the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) technical experts on their expectations for the UAE-Belem Work Programme process, including the mapping and selecting of indicators, and how they would prefer to proceed with the activities, in alignment with CAN’s and WGC's core demand.

13 November

11:00 - 12:30: Bigger, Better, Bolder: updating NDC's in line with 1.5 degrees

• Location: UK Pavilion
• Organisers: UK Pavilion and Outrage + Optimism podcast
• LSHTM roundtable participant: Ciara Judge (in person)
• Event Overview: This event will be a live recorded Outrage and Optimism podcast, with a panel moderated by Tom Carnac of Outrage and Optimism. The event will open with Ed Miliband (SoS DESNZ) setting out how the UK’s high ambition NDC sets the tone for NDCs that align with the science, respond to the public mandate, inspires investment and implemented through collaboration with others. Using media style format, Tom Carnac will then ask the other senior speakers (Climate Change Committee, British International Investment, We are Family Foundation and Brazil) to speak in more detail about each of these areas and on how stakeholders from across real economy and society can help turbocharge their implementation, and look ahead to how collaboration between major international powers can help tip the balance on climate action before the mid-way point this decade. 
• Further information on the event and the UK Pavilion programme, and link to livestream (UK time 07:00 - 08:30) 

14 November

16:00 - 17:00: Building resilient health-care systems amid climate change

• Location: Hyatt Regency, Baku
• Organisers: The Economist
• LSHTM speaker: Professor Shakoor Hajat (in person)
• Event Overview: To respond to climate change, health systems need to be strengthened. This includes providing training to health professionals and equipping hospitals and clinics with resilient infrastructure to handle climate-related emergencies. As the world faces nearly 3°C of global warming, what steps must health-care systems take to build resilience, safeguard vulnerable communities and prevent or limit the health impacts? Can these be managed through adaptation alone? Or is that a reckless approach? Join Economist Impact at COP29 for a roundtable discussion to explore strategies to enhance the resilience of health-care systems in the face of climate change.
• Further information on the event.

18 November

09:30 - 10:30: Accelerating a Clean Cooking Transition in Schools: Opportunities for Action

• Location: SEforALL Pavilion (Blue Zone Pavilion Number G12a)
• Organisers: SEforALL, WFP, IRENA, NORCAP
• LSHTM speaker: Dr Silvia Pastorino (in person)
• Further information on the event.

16:30 - 17:30: Our Shared Legacy: Intergenerational Collaboration for NDC Implementation

• Location: UK Pavilion
• Organisers: Groundswell & We Are Family Foundation (WAFF)
• LSHTM roundtable participant: Ciara Judge (in person)
• Event Overview: Groundswell & We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) will host a solutions-forward showcase demonstrating the value of intergenerational collaboration to construct and enact NDCs at the national level. Planned and moderated by youth delegates, the event will aim to demystify the NDCs, propose an intergenerational and multisectoral approach to their formulation and execution, and demonstrate how this approach can be operationalised through a panel/roundtable featuring pairs of youth leaders and industry/governmental leaders collaborating on NDC plans and solutions at the domestic level.
• Further information on the event, or link to livestream (UK time 12:30 - 13:30).

16:30 - 18:00: Next-generation school feeding: nourishing our children while building climate resilience

• Location: Food & Agriculture Pavilion
• Organisers: LSHTM, CGIAR, GAIN, I-CAN, SUN
• LSHTM speaker: Dr Silvia Pastorino (in person)
• Event Overview: Home-grown school feeding (HGSF) approaches, where school provision links to local food production and farmers, provide an important framework for mainstreaming climate-resilient agriculture and food production and innovation. While there is some evidence that such approaches enhance farmer incomes or improve food production, our understanding of how HGSF approaches can contribute to more climate-resilient food production and consumption is limited. This Event seeks to address this gap by bringing together key collaborating partners working on climate-resilient school feeding including those involved in the recent School Meals Coalition White Paper on ‘School Meals and Food Systems’ launched at COP28, the Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN) launched at COP27 and CGIAR partners and countries. The event will present a brief analysis of processes including entry points for driving climate-resilient agriculture during procurement, menu development and school and community gardens as pathways to more climate-resilient food production while examining challenges related to indicators and metric gaps, barriers and trade-offs.
• Further information on the event, or link to livestream (UK time 12:30 - 14:00).

19 November

13:15 - 14:45: Equitable climate solutions that protect health and build resilience for women, children and youth

• Location: Side Event Room 1
• Organisers: LSHTM, Fundación Barranquilla+20, Green Hope Foundation (GHF), HACEY's Health Initiative (HACEY)
• LSHTM participants: Rachel Juel (chair - in person); Dr Ana Bonell (speaker - online)
• Event Overview: This event will focus on inclusive climate mitigation and adaptation solutions to accelerate low carbon and climate resilient development, with and for women, children and youth. Speakers will share case studies of successful interventions that benefit both climate and health and explore the principles of co-design to inspire further action. Audience members will be invited to participate in the discussion and share their thoughts on how we can work together to design and deliver equitable climate solutions that protect health and build resilience for women, children and youth.
• Further information on the event.
• Please note: A COP29 delegate pass will be required to watch this event both in person and online.

15:15 - 16:30: Health co-benefits of climate action

• Location: Health Pavilion
• Organisers: Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH), World Health Organization (WHO)
• LSHTM speaker: Sir Professor Andy Haines (online)
• Event Overview: Professor Andy Haines, Co-Chair of the Pathfinder Initiative and Professor of Environmental Change and Public Health at LSHTM, will be giving a keynote speech on behalf of the Pathfinder Initiative at this session. The presentation will highlight evidence on the health co-benefits of climate action, and how to capitalise on these health co-benefits through effective action across all sectors.
• Further information on the event and link to the livestream (UK time 11:15 - 12:30).

15:30 - 17:00: Climate change and health: Policies for Africa's Urban Future

• Location: OECD Pavilion
• Organisers: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• LSHTM participants: Dr Sarah Whitmee (online); Aimee Aguilar Jaber, Hot or Cool Institute, and Lancet Pathfinder Commissioner
• Event Overview: This event will bring together academics, government representatives, and international institutions to discuss how climate mitigation policies can shape health outcomes across cities in Africa, and how a systems thinking approach can contribute to these efforts. Members of the Pathfinder Initiative team and Lancet Pathfinder Commission will take part in the panel and share insights on challenges and opportunities for African cities to implement policies that bring climate and health benefits.
• Further information on the event and link to register for the livestream (UK time 11:30 - 13:00).

16:35 - 17:15: Youth-Led Climate Initiatives: Transforming Food Systems in the Face of Climate Change

• Location: Children & Youth Pavilion
• Organisers: YOUNGO, FAO WFF
• LSHTM panellist: Rachel Juel (in person)
• Event Overview: This Children & Youth Pavilion session showcases youth-led regional initiatives transforming agri-food systems to address climate change and enhance sustainability. Four speakers under 35, representing diverse global regions, will present innovative on-the-ground projects at the intersection of climate action and food systems. We'll explore how youth leadership transforms agricultural practices, food security strategies, and climate adaptation approaches across different geographical contexts through case studies.
• Further information on the event.

20 November

09:30: Building Young People and Children’s Adaptive Capacity in the face of Climate Change

• Location: TBC
• Organisers: Global Young Greens
• LSHTM roundtable participant: Rachel Juel (in person)
• Event Overview: Global Young Greens is organising a roundtable discussion with research organisations/think tanks and policymakers on improving the adaptive capacity of young people in the face of climate change. We will be discussing key policy areas which need our focus, such as healthcare and education, along with how we can improve young people's participation in climate policy making.

11:00: Roundtable on youth health and wellbeing and climate change

• Location: TBC
• Organisers: United States Health and Social Services
• LSHTM roundtable participant: Rachel Juel (in person)
• Event Overview: An informal, closed-door round table with YOUNGO Health WG, climate and health researchers, and young people to discuss the health and wellbeing impacts of climate change on children and youth.

12:00 - 13:30: Accountability: Addressing Greenwashing in Low-Carbon, Sustainable, Resilient Healthcare Commitments

• Location: Health Pavilion
• Organisers: Lancet Commission on Sustainable Healthcare
• LSHTM presenter & chair: Dr Iris Blom
• Further information on the event and link to the livestream (UK time 08:00 - 09:30).

15:00 - 16:30: Scaling Adaptation for Resilient Communities

• Location: Zimbabwe Pavilion
• Organisers: AYICCZim and YOUNGO Adaptation Working Group 
• LSHTM co-organiser: Rachel Juel (in person)
• Event Overview: In partnership with the YOUNGO Adaptation Working Group, AYICCZim will host a dialogue at COP 29 to explore how best to scale adaptation solutions for vulnerable communities. This event aims to bring together stakeholders from across sectors to share strategies, insights, and experiences in building resilience for those most affected by climate change. Through open dialogue and collaborative exploration, this event seeks to foster partnerships and identify actionable steps to enhance adaptation efforts in Zimbabwe and beyond.

Further information of the full thematic COP29 programme.

Research areas and projects represented by LSHTM at COP29:

Centre on Climate Change & Planetary Health (CCCPH)

Part of LSHTM, the CCCPH covers a wide range of topics relating to climate change and planetary health (many listed below), and was set up to respond to the challenge of a changed planet. The CCCPH is also a WHO Collaborating Centre on Climate Change, Health and Sustainable Development.

Contacts at COP: Professor Shakoor Hajat, Dr Silvia Pastorino, Dr Iris Blom; Virtual: Professor Andy Haines, Dr Ana Bonell, Dr Pauline Paterson, Amanda Quintana, Ellie Darbey

Pathfinder Initiative

The Pathfinder Initiative aims to accelerate the transition to net zero through providing practical, evidence-based emissions reduction pathways that also benefit health. Recent outputs led by LSHTM include the report of the Lancet Pathfinder Commission and the Pathfinder Climate & Health Evidence Bank.

Contacts at COP: Dr Iris Blom; Virtual: Professor Andy Haines, Dr Ana Bonell, Sarah Sharpe, Ellie Darbey

Children, Cities and Climate Action Lab

Children, Cities and Climate Action Lab aims to understand and communicate young people’s views of their cities and assess the public health co-benefits of improving urban environments. They partner with YLabs, UrbanBetter, and C40 Cities to deliver evidence, youth engagement, and political action for young people's health, in cities effected by climate change.

Contacts at COP: Rachel Juel; Virtual: Dr Ana Bonell, Ellie Darbey

NIHR Health Protection Research Unit on Environmental Change and Health

The NIHR Health Protection Research Unit on Environmental Change and Health which undertakes high-quality research to improve understanding of the health impacts of climate change and other environmental challenges, the actions needed to protect UK public health, and the opportunities for improving health of policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Contacts at COP: Professor Shakoor Hajat

Climate change and maternal and child health

LSHTM researchers from across the CCCPH & MARCH (Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health) Centre are examining the impact of climate change including heat exposure on pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, breastfeeding, babies and children with the aim of informing evidence-based and community-led interventions, through work at our MRC Unit the Gambia, the CHAMNHA Project, High Horizons, and Extram Sen project (extreme temperatures and maternal and child health in Senegal: between resilience and action). 

Contacts at COP (virtual): Amanda Quintana; Dr Ana Bonell

Mitigation of healthcare systems

This research focuses on advancing Low- and Middle-Income health systems by integrating greenhouse gas mitigation with adaptation to climate change health threats, supported by the current momentum around sustainable healthcare and the COP26 health commitments. This necessitates evidence-based mitigation interventions for healthcare systems in LMICs, exploring their interplay with adaptation strategies. LSHTM also works closely with the Aga Khan Health Services on working with global health supply chains to increase net-zero ambitions.

Contacts at COP: Dr Iris Blom

Climate resilient health systems

LSHTM researchers are studying the factors influencing the implementation of climate adaptation policy for health at the subnational level to better understand climate resilient health systems.

Contact at COP (virtual): Amanda Quintana

Climate change & food systems

LSHTM researchers are evaluating both the impact of food systems on the environment and the effect of a changing environment on food systems, generating evidence to support policy makers to identify solutions that deliver healthy and sustainable diets, through the SHEFS and FACE-Africa projects.

Contacts at COP: Dr Silvia Pastorino, Rachel Juel

Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition

The Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition is a global research initiative established to provide independent evidence and policy guidance on the design, cost, implementation and impact of school meals programmes to the 90+ countries of the School Meals Coalition.

Contacts at COP: Dr Silvia Pastorino

Climate change & vector-borne diseases

LSHTM researchers are investigating the impact of environmental change on infectious diseases by characterising the complex relationships between climate, the environment, and infectious disease at various spatial and temporal scales. We use predictive models to develop early warning systems, such as the AXA funded Global Observatory for vector-borne disease outbreaks, and estimate future infectious disease burdens under projected scenarios. The OpenDengue project is a group of modellers, epidemiologists and public health practitioners who use data to give new insights into the burden, spread and containment of mosquito-transmitted diseases, and part of the Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases.

Contacts at COP: Ciara Judge (also representing We Are Family Foundation, which advocates for youth and early career representation in the policy space)

Sustainability at LSHTM

As a global research and education institution we recognise our responsibility to generate evidence and empower future health leaders. We also recognise that in doing so we have an impact on the environment. We aim to continually expand our understanding of the impacts of climate change on human and planetary health. We are taking significant steps to ensure this impact is mitigated with a plan to deliver our mission in a sustainable way. We aim to embed sustainability and move towards net zero in all our operations, policies, decision making and infrastructure improvements.

Contacts at COP (virtual): Izzy Murray

MSc Climate Change & Planetary Health

Our MSc in Climate Change & Planetary Health is designed to understand the connection between the environment and human health to create a liveable planet for future generations. Unravel the impact of climate change on diverse populations around the world and analyse how our behaviour influences the planet. You’ll build confidence in assessing links, anticipating problems, finding solutions and intervening early, as well as developing specialist skills to become an agent of change. 

This programme is also available online. Study one year full-time, part-time or split-study over two years. 

Find out more and join us at our Autumn Open Evening on Wednesday 20th November, 05:30 - 07:30 PM in London - Book your place now. 

Contact Us

For general enquiries about LSHTM at COP29, please contact Ellie Darbey (ellie.darbey@lshtm.ac.uk; virtual delegate), or Sarah Sharpe (sarah.sharpe@lshtm.ac.uk; virtual delegate).

For media enquiries, please contact press@lshtm.ac.uk.

To find out how you can support us, make a gift or partner with the CCCPH, please contact: Mary-Alice McDevitt, Mary-Alice.McDevitt@lshtm.ac.uk, 020 7612 7879.

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