Implementing six climate and health measures could save nearly 1.6 million lives annually, reduce carbon emissions and generate trillions of dollars in economic benefits, the World Health Organisation has said.

The UN agency disclosed this in a report released on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, ahead of the COP31 climate change conference scheduled to begin in Turkey next week.

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The report recommended practical interventions, including heat-health warning systems and climate-resilient infrastructure for drinking water and sanitation.

It also highlighted improved hand hygiene, cleaner household energy sources and more efficient fossil fuel pricing as measures that could help protect public health while addressing climate change.

WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the climate crisis as a major health challenge but maintained that much of its impact could be prevented through existing solutions.

“The climate crisis is a health crisis, but much of the harm it causes can be prevented with tools we already have,” he said.

According to the report, implementing the six measures could deliver what it described as a “triple dividend” of healthier populations, lower greenhouse gas emissions and stronger economies.

The proposed interventions could also help prevent 16.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

In addition, the WHO estimated that the measures could generate up to $5.4 trillion in fiscal benefits each year and provide an economic boost of nearly $4 trillion through lives saved, disaster prevention and reduced healthcare costs.

However, the agency acknowledged that its projections were based on ambitious scenarios and were affected by data gaps and uncertainties.

Despite these limitations, Tedros said the findings demonstrated the potential benefits of expanding affordable and proven interventions, particularly in countries facing the greatest climate and health challenges.