Six proven climate measures could save 1.6 million lives a year, WHO says
Heat warnings, safe water, sanitation and clean cooking pay back most in low- and middle-income countries, a new report finds.
Geneva — Six climate and health measures that already exist could prevent about 1.6 million deaths a year worldwide, the World Health Organization says in a new report released ahead of the COP31 climate conference.
The six are heat-health warning systems, climate-resilient drinking water, basic sanitation, hygiene and handwashing facilities, cleaner fuels and stoves for cooking and heating, and efficient pricing of fossil fuels.
Together, the WHO estimates, they could prevent one in every 40 deaths, avoid 16.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, and bring $3.9 trillion a year in economic welfare benefits plus $5.4 trillion in fiscal gains.
Biggest returns where needs are greatest
Five of the measures return about $24 for every $1 invested, with higher returns in low- and middle-income countries. Heat-health warning systems stand out at an estimated $835 per dollar, because expanding them costs little.
Fossil fuel pricing, including removing wasteful subsidies, gives the largest total gain: about 1.2 million deaths prevented a year.
"The climate crisis is a health crisis, but much of the harm it causes can be prevented with tools we already have," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Source: Premium Times, World Health Organization, November 2026.
