IISD - International Institute for Sustainable Development

04/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/28/2026 16:24

Health and Climate: Structural elements from the health sector for the phase-out of fossil fuels

Health impacts are a compelling driver of this transition. At the same time, the health sector warrants focused attention to identify the conditions required to ensure the transition process itself is fair, inclusive, and equitable.

This event will convene stakeholders engaged in the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels to co-develop messages on the health sector's role in supporting a just and equitable transition. It will position the health sector as a key contributor to the progressive phase-out of fossil fuels, highlighting the associated health co-benefits, the value of resilient health systems, and the sector's contribution to an inclusive, evidence-based transition.

The program will feature case studies followed by moderated discussions to identify key insights, lessons learned, and practical recommendations. The event aims to foster focused exchange among participants and to deliver clear, actionable messages to inform the conference.

The event is co-organized by the Friends of Climate and Health, hosted by IISD, the Global Climate and Health Alliance, and the Lancet Countdown.

Agenda

(General sessions in Spanish, one workshop session in English and two in Spanish)

Time Topic Agenda Item Speaker
11:00 - 11:10 Registration and refreshment
11:10 - 11:25 Welcome and scene setting Margarita Gutierrez, policy advisor for Friends of Climate and Health Group, IISD
11:25 - 11:35 Welcome and workshop questions Institutional welcome
Workshop objectives and expected outcomes 		Antonella Risso, Lancet Countdown LATAM
11:35 - 12:10 Workshop sessions

Pillar 1: Reducing economic dependence on fossil fuels

Strategic question: How can the health community quantify and communicate the public health co-benefits of reducing fossil fuel dependence-such as improved air quality and reduced disease burden-to strengthen the case for economic diversification, just transitions, and economic and labour reconversion, while fostering shared responsibilities and commitments across sectors and stakeholders?

Moderator: Antonella Risso

Case Study: Ministry of Health, Colombia - Health Adaptation Plan of Colombia and its relationship with transitioning away from fossil fuel sites

Pillar 2: Transforming supply and demand

Strategic question: How can healthy, sustainable consumption and production patterns support the energy transition and clean investments while providing evidence for healthier choices? The focus will be on subsidies and fuel substitution.

Moderator: Margarita Gutierrez

Case Study: Ministry of Environment of the Province of Buenos Aires and its integrated work on circularity, health, and climate.

Pillar 3: Strengthening international cooperation and climate diplomacy

Strategic question: How can the health community strengthen its role in international climate and biodiversity processes by contributing evidence, advocacy, and joint actions that position health as a central pillar of climate diplomacy and multilateral cooperation?

Moderator: Milena Sergeera

Case Study: Break the Fossil Fuel Influence, Global Climate and Health Alliance
12:10 - 12:50 Sharing main topics and key messages from workshop groups and setting the common message for the conference

8-minute presentation for each pillar

Question and final remarks

Next steps

Margarita Gutierrez and Antonella Risso
IISD - International Institute for Sustainable Development published this content on April 28, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 28, 2026 at 22:25 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]