The ideas of equality and justice are deeply ingrained in the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and the Paris Agreement, which emphasise fairness and responsibility in addressing climate change.

Why equity, justice, and health are essential for climate action

In this COP30 special, Izzi Davies-Friend interviews Professor Aleks Cavoski to discuss why equity, justice, and health must be at the heart of climate action. They explore how inclusive policies, cross-sector collaboration, and education can lead to fair and healthy solutions for all.

These agreements further expand upon these principles by recognising the realities of different national circumstances and requiring developed countries to take the lead. As we move to a greener economy, workers should be supported with good job opportunities and vulnerable groups must be protected. These groups include Indigenous Peoples, local communities, migrants, children, people with disabilities, and those in vulnerable situations. The agreements emphasise the importance of gender equality, women’s empowerment, and fairness between generations. There is also a human rights focus. Climate actions should respect and protect people’s rights, including the right to health and development.

What still needs to be done?

Climate change hits vulnerable communities hardest, especially in poorer countries, worsening health and social inequalities. To address this, climate policies must focus more on fairness, justice, and health at all levels. As countries transition to clean energy, they still require specific raw materials - primarily minerals - to support renewable technologies like electric mobility. This transition must consider environmental standards, health benefits, and social inclusion, addressing regional differences and vulnerabilities.

Health policies need updating to tackle climate-related issues:

Infectious diseases are spreading further as temperatures rise
Antibiotic resistance is growing
Better monitoring and plans for emerging infections
Chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are worsened by heat and air pollution
Climate-related disruptions to food and water supplies increase the risk of malnutrition
Extreme weather events strain healthcare systems and contribute to mental health challenges

Public involvement and education are crucial for collective responsibility and improved public health in climate action. This can raise awareness of health risks and behaviours, and test local solutions to climate and sustainability challenges. For real progress, climate action should be part of all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), not a separate issue. Understanding how the 17 SDGs connect can help countries address climate and development issues together, including justice, fairness, and health.

Policy Recommendations

UK national

Integrate environmental quality standards and health co-benefits into decarbonisation pathways both in the UK and internationally.
Include sustainable and circular product stewardship as a vital part of future energy security policies.
Establish long-term surveillance of potential diseases through wastewater streams to identify emerging epidemics.

International

Align the Paris Agreement goals—and any future frameworks—with the SDGs to promote a holistic approach that ensures both climate and development priorities are addressed simultaneously.
Strengthen global collaboration to accelerate energy decarbonisation and ensure equitable access to the necessary resources and technologies.
Coordinate internationally to minimise the risk of disease transmission and promote responsible antibiotics use, ensuring the development of antimicrobial resistance remains minimal through effective monitoring.
Embed whole-systems approaches into national and regional governance to support inclusive and equitable climate mitigation and adaptation policies.
Provide on-site, clean energy generation for all healthcare facilities in the Global South.
Incorporate global citizenship education (GCE) as a core subject in both teacher training and school curricula, equipping educators and students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to champion economic, environmental, and sociocultural sustainability

These recommendations are based on research led by experts at the University of Birmingham including:

Professor Aleksandra Cavoski
Professor of Environmental Law
Professor Cavoski's research interests are in the field of environmental law and EU law.
Dr Suzanne Bartington
Clinical Associate Professor in Environmental Health
Dr Bartington leads research at the intersection of air quality, climate change, and health, with a strong focus on policy impact.
Dr Lucy Crouch
Sir Henry Dale Fellow
Dr Crouch studies how gut microbes and pathogens use human-derived glycans as a nutrient source.
Professor Rachel Jordan
Professor of Epidemiology and Primary Care
Professor Jordan researches early COPD diagnosis and management in primary care.
Professor Robert Lee
Professor of Law
Professor Lee is a legal scholar specialising in environmental law and technology regulation.

Professor Francis Pope
Professor of Atmospheric Science
Professor Pope's research interests lie in the atmospheric sciences, human health and sustainable cities.
Professor Yuli Shan
Professor in Sustainable Transitions
Dr Shan researches how human activity drives climate change and explores low-carbon pathways to a net-zero future.
Dr Meng Tian
Associate Professor in Educational Leadership
Dr Tian researches educational leadership, with a focus on social justice, professional development, and global citizenship.
Dr Katinka Weber
Qualitative Research Fellow
Dr Weber is researching development, social change, and political ecology, with a regional focus on Latin America and West Africa.
Dr Abril Herrera Chávez
Public Engagement and Communications Officer, WM-Net Zero
Dr Abril Herrera Chávez is a Public Engagement and Communications Officer within the Department of Applied Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, at the University of Birmingham.