Health and fiscal co-benefits of emissions reductions: a summary for negotiators (Briefing)

HEAL, the Climate and Health Council and Health Care Without Harm Europe, presented a one page briefing for negotiators on climate in Cancun which outlines the health and fiscal co-benefits of carbon emissions reductions.

Summary: Policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will substantially reduce the burden of disease from heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, dementia, depression, osteoporosis, road deaths and injuries, and air pollution (and thus lung disease). These benefits are associated with substantial and meaningful savings in healthcare costs which offset much of the cost of mitigation. Such information should encourage negotiators: whilst climate change threatens health, mitigation strategies can save both lives and money.

Last updated on 1 July 2011