On 15 May 2025, the World Health Assembly (WHO) adopted the inaugural Global Action Plan on Climate Change and Health (2025–2028) during the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78). The plan aligns with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, with the overarching aim of integrating health into climate policy. This involves adopting a comprehensive approach to health in relation to the environment and sustainability, with ramifications for a diverse range of stakeholders. The plan underscores the imperative of recognising climate change as a paramount concern for global health, acknowledging the intricate, multidimensional relationship between climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and human health.
In accordance with the stipulations outlined in resolution WHA77.14, a consultative process was mandated to facilitate the presentation of a Global Plan of Action in 2025, underpinned by a results-based, needs-oriented, and capabilities-driven framework. This process involved Member States, civil society organisations, partners, technical experts, and WHO staff. The initial draft was based on four overarching frameworks: The Sustainable Development Goals, Health in All Policies, One Health and Planetary Health. The approved version incorporates two recognised frameworks, the Global Health Security and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and comprises seventeen guiding principles. These principles are: Adaptability, Baku Guiding Principles on Human Development for Climate Resilience, Community orientation, Equity, Evidence-based practice, Financial efficiency, Gender equality/gender inequalities and differences in needs and opportunities, Local and regionally led strategies, Holistic approaches and collaboration, Human rights, Innovation, creativity and technology-based, Multisectoral and multidisciplinary partnerships, Social determinants of health, Traditional and indigenous knowledge, Vulnerable populations, South–South and triangular cooperation and Leave no one behind. It is evident that actions inspired by the principle of ‘environmental justice’, which does not ultimately manifest as such in the Plan due to the implications related to resource allocation, should be integrated into ‘community orientation’ or ‘strategies led at local and regional level’ in some way.
Berta Paz Lourido
Directora de la Unidad de Innovación en desarrollo sostenible, salud y justicia global mediante aprendizaje-servicio. Universidad de las Illes Balears
Berta is Associate Professor in physiotherapy and teaches community physiotherapy, urban planning, environment and public health. In the last years, Berta has specialized in Service-Learning and is leading its development at the European and Spanish levels, such as president of the Spanish Association and vice-president of the European Association of Service-Learning in Higher Education, among others.
The Global Plan on Climate Change and Health is organised into three action areas and four global targets. The action areas are Leadership, coordination and advocacy; Evidence and monitoring and Country-level action and capacity-building. The four global targets are advocate for the integration of health in national and international climate agendas and vice versa; create a robust and relevant evidence base that is directly connected to policy, implementation and monitoring; promote climate change adaptation efforts to address health risks and support mitigation efforts that maximise health benefits and, ensure that health systems and healthcare facilities are climate-resilient, low-carbon, and environmentally sustainable.
While the Global Plan of Action incorporates proposed actions for Member States and the WHO Secretariat, the recommendations for stakeholders, encompassing universities, health facilities, research centres and civil organisations, are of particular pertinence. It is imperative that stakeholders, including associations, networks, and organisations related to healthcare and the education of health professionals, provide support for the implementation of the plan without failing to reference its critical points. But it is essential to understand the expectations of these stakeholders. This contribution to the Global Plan of Action is realised through three key mechanisms.
Firstly, collaboration is strengthened. Secondly, investments in health and climate action are prioritised. Thirdly, the integration of health into climate policy is promoted. In addition, initiatives centred on the development of climate-resilient, low-carbon health systems; the enhancement of surveillance and early warning systems; the protection of vulnerable populations; and the integration of health considerations into climate policy and financing. In this context, the Environmental Physiotherapy Association (EPA) merits particular attention for its distinctive characteristics and integrative profile. The EPA stands out as a unique forum for meeting, reflection, debate, training and inspiration, in relation to the multiple relationships between environment and physiotherapy offering a valuable resource for the global physiotherapy community.
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At the same time, the transformation of the healthcare sector requires a transformation of education, which in turn requires teaching staff that is sensitive and trained in this subject. It is therefore not a new trend in physiotherapy, but rather a requirement that will have implications for physiotherapy curricula. This does not imply looking towards an uncertain future, but rather gaining a better understanding of the present. It also encourages a self-critical and reflective view of the relationship between human beings and their environment, rather than just offering small, decontextualised solutions. Given the significance attributed to the geographical, cultural and socio-economic context, numerous physiotherapy initiatives are currently being developed that can be collated and disseminated to facilitate adaptation or transfer to other contexts.
The present socio-political situation is intricate, the need for political priority and resources, together with a veiled criticism to transnational organisations such as the WHO poses a threat to the development of the plan. Only time will tell how many of these words will be translated into concrete actions with verifiable impact. It will also hold individuals accountable for their personal contributions, without resorting to euphemisms or excuses, regardless of their role in physiotherapy.
As a preliminary point, it is essential to familiarise oneself with the Global Plan of Action, which will be the subject of further discussion in forthcoming years. The subsequent phases of the project will entail the development of indicators for measuring progress towards defined targets. It is important to consider whether national and international physiotherapy organisations will have the opportunity to express their views on this matter and be given due consideration.
The whole content of the Resolution A78/4 Add.2 can be found here: https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA78/A78_4Add2-en.pdf
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