Governments are failing to match their commitments to public health with sufficiently ambitious action to cut fossil fuel emissions, according to a new assessment of climate plans from 132 countries by the Global Climate and Health Alliance.
The coalitioClimate Plans Fall Short on Health Protection, Global Alliance Warns
n of non-governmental organisations said many governments recognise the health risks associated with climate change but have not introduced emissions reduction measures strong enough to protect their populations from pollution and global warming.
The alliance’s 2026 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Scorecard examines how effectively countries address health in their national climate plans across eight areas, including climate-related health impacts, air pollution, healthcare sector action, health benefits, a just transition, governance, financing and implementation.
The European Union, Indonesia, South Africa, Türkiye, Canada and the United Arab Emirates received relatively high scores for integrating health into their climate commitments. However, the report said these efforts were not matched by the emissions cuts needed to reduce the risks to public health.
The EU ranked 12th in the assessment. Colombia topped the table with 29 points out of 32, followed by Nigeria with 25 and Cambodia with 24. Nineteen of the 20 highest-scoring countries were from low- and middle-income economies.
Unlike most countries, the EU submits a single joint climate commitment under the Paris Agreement on behalf of the bloc and its 27 member states.
Jess Beagley of the Global Climate and Health Alliance criticised the gap between government statements on health and their continued reliance on fossil fuels.
“We can’t pay lip service to health unless we are taking action on health,” she told Euronews, arguing that reducing fossil fuel dependence was essential to addressing both climate change and pollution.
Among high-emitting economies receiving mid-range health scores, the EU was the only one whose climate plan included a specific air pollution reduction target, according to the assessment. The target concerns the phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons by 2050.
However, none of the countries in this group set specific targets for black carbon, nitrous oxide or ozone, pollutants associated with environmental damage and health risks.
Beagley said fossil fuel-related pollution could contribute to respiratory illnesses, cancer and neurological disorders, leaving healthcare systems to manage the consequences of decisions made across energy, transport and industry.
The report also pointed to the growing human toll of climate-related disasters. Figures cited included more than 1,400 deaths and over 6,600 missing people in Nepal, eight million children at risk of hunger in Eastern and Southern Africa, and tens of thousands of deaths associated with European heatwaves.
The alliance called on wealthy countries with high historical emissions to reduce pollution faster and provide financial support to developing economies implementing their climate commitments.
Beagley said health ministries were closely involved in developing national climate plans in only 15% of the countries assessed, raising concerns that health consequences were being overlooked during policymaking.
The upcoming COP31 climate summit in November will provide another opportunity for governments to demonstrate whether mounting health risks are prompting stronger climate policies. The alliance said effective action must combine emissions reductions, health-focused planning and adequate funding for countries most exposed to climate impacts.
