As per German Watch , Asia is the most affected region from weather-related loss events from 1999 to 2018. Millions of poor people on the continent face multiple, overlapping climate hazards such as heatwaves, floods, drought and landslides impacting their health, well-being and livelihoods. Being home to many of the world’s Low and Middle Income countries, healthcare facilities serving vulnerable communities need to be strengthened and made future ready in a sustainable, people-centric way.
Healthcare facilities themselves make up 4.4% of global net emissions (2 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent) accordion to the 2019 report by Healthcare without Harm in partnership with Arup. The lion’s share of these emissions (71%) derives from the health care supply chain (Scope 3) through the production, transport, and disposal of goods and services, such as pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, food and agricultural products, medical devices, hospital equipment, and instruments.
India - the world's 3rd largest GHG emitter (high across the health and food systems), ranked 172 in the environmental health category, however only half per capita.
Climate change contributes to increasing heat-related health effects, vector-borne diseases, malnutrition and related health disorders such as child stunting -the vulnerable most severely affected.Child stunting projected to increase by 35% by 2050 compared to a scenario without climate change.
Climate change related disruption and displacement disproportionately affect the marginalized and the vulnerable.
World food prices are on incline due to growing populations and rising incomes, with greater demand for biofuels now than ever.Without climate change,average rice yields could have been almost 6% higher.
Impact measurement frameworks are inadequate and do not reflect tangible outcomes. Evidence linking climate change to increased vulnerabilities and risks to already vulnerable groups is largely inadequate.
India has made some progress in its climate action, and made some climate action pledges.