Climate change and health in Small Island Developing States : a WHO special initiative, Pacific island countries and areas

Abstract

In 2017, at the 23rd COP (COP23) of the UNFCCC in Bonn, WHO launched a Special Initiative on Climate Change and Health in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in collaboration with UNFCCC and the Fijian Presidency of the COP23. The Initiative recognizes that SIDS are on the front line facing a range of acute and long-term risks caused by climate change. Most SIDS have made a very small contribution to the overall global emissions that cause climate change and yet they are amongst the most affected countries . This report serves as the background document to the Pacific Island Action Plan on Climate Change and Health (http://iris.wpro.who.int/handle/10665.1/14236) with some updates surrounding four strategic lines of action: (1) Empowerment; (2) Evidence; (3) Implementation; and (4) Resources. This report also complements the previous comprehensive publication on Human Health and Climate Change in Pacific Island Countries (http://iris.wpro.who.int/handle/10665.1/12399).