Integrating Health into Climate Action Plans

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• Potential public-health benefits of strategies that reduce emissions of climate pollutants
• Analytic methods for quantifying health benefits of emissions-mitigation strategies included in climate-action plans
• How to identify challenges and opportunities of climate planning in rapidly urbanizing settings, and how to prioritize public health in these types of plans

MORE SESSION DETAILS

In cities across the globe, urban planners and city agencies are developing strategies to reduce emissions of climate pollutants and protect cities from climate-change impacts. While providing necessary contributions to collective global action, these plans can radically transform cities, changing the way we use energy, move people and goods, design public spaces, and engage communities to create healthier and more equitable environments. Recently, environmental modeling, epidemiology, and health-impact-assessment methods have been used to assess the benefits of climate actions that reduce air pollution, increase access to physical activity, and protect against extreme weather. Learn how to assess climate-action plans for health benefits and the value of public health experts engaging in planning. Presentations will include a study of the air quality and public health benefits of New York City’s climate plan, a health-based ranking of emission-mitigation options under consideration by the city of Boston, and an examination of challenges and opportunities for climate-action planning in rapidly urbanizing low- and middle-income countries. A moderated discussion will explore new approaches around prioritizing health in climate-planning process.