The World Health Organization launched the "Climate and Health Co-benefits Challenge", during the 79^th World Health assembly in Geneva, an international initiative calling for real-world examples of climate action that are improving health outcomes and saving lives.

The open call invites governments, academic institutions, civil society groups, private sector organisations and international agencies to submit case studies showing measurable health benefits from climate mitigation or adaptation efforts outside the health sector

Examples include renewable energy projects improving air quality, urban greening reducing extreme heat impacts, and sustainable food systems lowering rates of preventable diseases. Submissions may come from sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture, oceans, urban planning, industry and nature-based solutions.

Case study submissions open on 18 May and close on 31 August 2026.

Pre-COP32 meeting in Fiji

The selected case studies will be showcased at the Pre-COP32 meeting in Fiji, in October this year, and will help inform global climate and health policies and investment decisions. Strong submissions may be further developed for wider implementation and inclusion in international evidence platforms.

WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, said, “Clean energy, sustainable transport, resilient food systems: these investments save lives today, and prepare us for tomorrow. That is why we are calling on governments and organizations across our Region and beyond: share your examples, your best practices, your stories.”

Australian Government Special Envoy for Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation, Kate Thwaites, said communities are already benefiting from cleaner energy through improved air quality, better health outcomes and reduced energy costs.

Director of the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health in the Western Pacific, Dr Sandro Demaio, described climate action as one of the most important investments for human health and said the challenge would provide practical evidence ahead of COP31.

Key facts on climate and health co-benefits

• The Western Pacific Region faces an escalating climate crisis with direct impacts on people’s health. Extreme heat, changing rainfall, rising sea levels, and increasingly frequent and severe weather events are driving displacement, food and water insecurity, chronic disease, heat-related illnesses and infectious disease risks.
• Health co-benefits are positive, sometimes secondary or unintended, health outcomes generated by effective, evidence-based climate actions.
• When climate actions are designed with health in mind, sectors such as transport, energy and urban development can deliver stronger returns on investment and greater social impact.
• Climate investments are already saving lives. Accounting for health co-benefits strengthens the case for action, makes outcomes tangible for communities and policy-makers, and increases public value for every dollar invested.

The challenge was launched by the World Health Organization Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health in the Western Pacific under the WHO Regional Office for Western Pacific, with support from the Rockerfeller Foundation and the Pathfinder Initiative.