The Lancet Countdown 2024 Report is out: here is CSH’s take on it

What actions must we take today to secure a healthier, sustainable future for all? 

As climate change intensifies, so too does its impact on human health. More frequent heatwaves, extreme weather events, and shifting patterns of infectious diseases are redefining the challenges facing healthcare systems globally. With the evidence growing, it is clear that our path to a sustainable future requires urgent, health-focused climate action. This year’s Lancet Countdown report underscores the need for transformative steps to not only curb emissions but also to build resilient, equitable healthcare systems that can withstand the pressures of a rapidly changing world. 

The 2024 Lancet Countdown offers a comprehensive examination of these health-climate intersections, presenting a stark picture of how much remains to be done, but also highlighting promising pathways forward. 

Lancet Countdown 2024 Rachel Stancliffe quote.

The 2024 Lancet Countdown: a global wake-up call on health and climate change 

The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change is an international research collaboration monitoring the evolving impacts of climate change on health and tracking the benefits of climate action. In its 9th annual report, the 2024 Lancet Countdown reveals the latest evidence on how the health of people worldwide is deeply interlinked with our planet's climate health. 

Drawing on the insights of over a hundred scientists and health professionals from across research institutes and UN organisations, this year's report uses 15 indicators to monitor climate health hazards, exposures, and impacts. Alarmingly, ten of these indicators reached record-breaking levels, underscoring the urgent need for transformative, health-centred climate action. 

Key findings from the 2024 Lancet Countdown Report 

Escalating climate health risks 

“The 2024 Lancet Countdown report highlights record-breaking health hazards, from intensifying heatwaves to rising infectious diseases, that are reshaping the health landscape globally.” 

  • Extreme weather events—more frequent, intense, and long-lasting—pose mounting threats to health, wellbeing, food, and water security, and survival: 
  • Extreme precipitation: 61.3% of global land area now experiences more days of extreme rainfall than in the 1961–1990 baseline, heightening risks of flooding, landslides, and infectious diseases. 
  • Drought: 48% of land globally experienced extreme drought in 2023, up from 15% in the 1950s. Combined with rising heatwaves, these conditions have driven 151 million more people into food insecurity across 124 countries. 

Vulnerable populations are particularly affected: 

  • Heat-related deaths: Deaths among people over 65 due to heat reached record levels in 2023, 167% higher than in 1990–99. 
  • Infectious diseases: Warming waters and changing climates have pushed vibriosis cases to a record 692,000 globally, with dengue transmission risk rising as conditions favour Aedes mosquitoes. 

Delayed adaptation measures leave communities increasingly exposed, stressing the need for urgent implementation of protective health interventions. Health inequities are worsening, with only 35% of countries having early warning systems for heat-related illnesses and just 10% for mental health risks associated with climate extremes. In 2023, only 68% of countries reported adequate capacities for managing health emergencies. As climate-driven events increase, urgent investment in robust, equitable healthcare systems is essential to meet the growing demand. 

Addressing climate change through health-focused initiatives 

Fossil fuels and public health: immediate gains through action 

Some progress has been made in reducing the health impacts of fossil fuel-derived pollution. From 2016 to 2021, deaths attributable to PM2.5 from fossil fuels decreased by 6.9%. This progress highlights the substantial health benefits of moving towards sustainable energy, particularly when addressing urban air quality through reduced emissions from road transport. 

Sustainable and healthy road transport 

With road transport accounting for 16% of global CO2 emissions, the shift to zero-emission transport systems is crucial. Electric vehicles, combined with clean energy sources, offer a viable path to reduced urban air pollution and carbon emissions. Yet, the transition must be inclusive, addressing accessibility for disabled individuals and those with mobility limitations. Prioritising health-focused urban planning can improve resilience to climate threats, promote safe active travel, and reduce health disparities within cities. 

Spotlight on the Green Health Routes project 

Our Green Health Routes initiative offers a practical, health-positive approach to climate adaptation by connecting communities with local green spaces. This programme, which encourages outdoor activity in parks, woodlands, and meadows, is supported by healthcare practitioners and includes ‘green prescriptions’ that foster both physical and mental wellbeing. Recently, with support from Forestry England, we are piloting two new routes in the North-East at Chopwell Wood and Guisborough Forest, complementing ongoing green social prescribing efforts. Research collated by the University of Exeter supports that green space engagement delivers physiological and psychological benefits, strengthening the case for green social prescribing in healthcare. 

What actions must we take today? 

The path forward: building resilience through health-centred climate action 

The 2024 report from the Lancet Countdown presents an undeniable truth: the health consequences of climate inaction are escalating rapidly. This moment offers a critical opportunity to act decisively, especially as COP29 approaches, highlighting the growing commitment to incorporate health into global climate dialogues. However, funding must shift rapidly away from harmful, carbon-intensive activities and towards health-promoting, sustainable interventions. 

The recent rise in health-focused adaptation plans and education programmes on climate and health, reported by 70% of public health institutions, demonstrates promising steps toward building a climate-resilient healthcare workforce. Funding for adaptation in the health sector has also seen a 137% increase since 2021, although it remains only 27% of total adaptation funding from the Green Climate Fund. 

Spotlight on CSH’s Education Programmes 

Our education programmes experienced exceptional growth in 2023, reflecting the increasing demand for sustainable healthcare training. Participation rose by 36% over the previous year, with 1,023 attendees from 21 countries engaging in courses that provide the tools and knowledge to integrate sustainability into healthcare. Our courses are built on the principles of sustainable clinical practice—prevention, patient self-care, lean service delivery, and low-carbon alternatives. Through a combination of interactive online learning, expert-facilitated workshops, and peer discussions, participants gain the confidence and skills needed to embed sustainability into their practice, from individual projects to organisational policy. We also support institutions in developing and integrating sustainable healthcare curricula tailored to their needs. Through collaborative consultations, our team can help design programmes that empower healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge to champion sustainability within their practice and beyond. 

Towards a healthier, sustainable future for all 

To ensure a future where both people and the planet thrive, we must integrate health considerations into every aspect of climate action. This means prioritising a transition to clean energy, creating resilient healthcare systems, and fostering equitable access to essential resources, including healthcare and green spaces. Actions today must address the immediate and long-term health impacts of climate change, from mitigating air pollution to providing early warning systems that protect vulnerable populations from extreme weather. 

Moreover, a global shift in funding and policy priorities is needed. We must redirect investments from fossil fuels to renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure, ensuring that the most vulnerable communities are supported in this transition. By embedding sustainability into public health education, policy-making, and urban planning, we can foster environments that promote safe, active lifestyles, reduce carbon footprints, and enhance resilience against climate hazards. 

Every action taken today to mitigate climate risks is an investment in a healthier, more sustainable future—one where generations can live free from the preventable health impacts of climate change. 

A call to action 

The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH) supports the Lancet Countdown’s call for urgent action. We advocate for comprehensive, health-centred approaches to climate adaptation that focus on reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing resilience. Sustainable practices in healthcare and beyond are essential for safeguarding public health now and for future generations. Let’s work together to realise a future where health and sustainability go hand-in-hand. 

Are you a healthcare professional concerned about the climate and health crisis? 

The time to act is now, for a future where all can thrive. 

Read the full 2024 Lancet Countdown report here and view the visual summary here.