March 26, 2020 | Climate Change

Healthy and Ambitious NDCs in 2020—Virtual Introduction

Invitation Only

The world is currently putting all possible effort into responding to the threat of COVID-19, which is causing disease and loss of life, placing unprecedented strain on our health systems and economies, and changing the way many of us are living our lives.  We send all our support to the affected communities and health workers confronting this crisis.  The global response to COVID-19 underlines the importance of being guided by science and protecting the most vulnerable among us—and demonstrates that societies can make fundamental changes when faced with existential risks.  All of these principles are equally important in responding to the climate crisis.

We consider that as policymakers make hugely important decisions—both in protecting people and economies from COVID-19 and in renewing our commitments to the Paris Agreement—it is more important than ever to make the connection between health, climate, and environment.  This applies not only to protecting people and the planet from fundamental risks but also to the opportunities that come from investing in a more resilient, zero-carbon, and healthier future. Public health needs to be a component of ambitious and robust NDCs for the sake of fair and just outcomes for all, but also to translate commitments from abstract goals into implementable plans.

We are pleased to host on March 26 the first in a series of virtual and in-person meetings on the topic of Healthy and Ambitious NDCs in 2020, organized by the Stanley Center for Peace and Security in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Wellcome Trust. Our virtual introduction provides an overview of climate and health and the opportunities that lie ahead to integrate health into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).  Subsequent virtual conversations will be designed for increased interaction and will focus on the needs and opportunities for creating healthy and ambitious NDCs—including through case studies, technical tools, advocacy plans, and coordination of diplomatic engagement—and coordination and development of landing zones and key political moments leading up to and at COP26.

Contact

Mark Conway

Program Officer
Climate Change