AASSA Climate Change and Health Project

The relationship between climate change and health is complex, and it is imperative to understand these complexities to formulate policies that can mitigate the effects of climate change, especially in developing nations where the effects on health will be felt the most, owing to the vulnerable population groups in these countries. Evidently, there is a need to explore the topic to ensure that adequate and timely strategies are used to prevent and mitigate the effects of climate change on human health.

As part of the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) Climate Change and Health (CCH) Project, The Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA) has recently published the regional report on ‘The Imperative of Climate Action to Promote and Protect Health in Asia’. The AASSA Working Group on CCH was led by Academician Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Khairul Anuar Abdullah FASc, the President of AASSA. ASM led the AASSA’s Working Group on CCH to organise a series of regional workshops to clarify the regional focus areas and make a regional analysis for CCH. The workshops involved experts from 16 Asia and Oceania countries to formulate science-based recommendations.

The report touches on how climate change has affected the spatio-temporal, socio-economic, and political variations within Asia and Oceania. It recognises that geographical areas that lack technological advancement and development require a different set of criteria and approaches to assess the health and well-being of their citizens. Scientific evidence is essential for effective policymaking to prevent the health impacts of climate change. This report has summarised the policy suggestions and directions to adapt and mitigate, as well as to clarify current research gaps. These actions should accompany social transformation towards sustainable development.

This regional report was also presented during the 26^th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). The IAP is currently publishing the Global Report titled “Health in the climate emergency – a global perspective” that comprises all input from four regional networks: AASSA (Asia), EASAC (Europe), IANAS (Americans) and NASAC (Africa). The global report is expected to be published in May 2022.