Along with ANMF Federal Office, the ANMF (Vic Branch) has co-signed an open letter calling for the Australian Government to champion an Australia- and Pacific-hosted COP31 that safeguards and secures a healthy future for people and the planet.
Australia’s bid to host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific in 2026 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. With Australia and the Pacific already facing escalating health impacts from climate change – from deadly extreme weather events and air pollution to increased mental health toll and displacement – we know that the climate crisis is a health crisis. It’s real, it’s here and now more than ever, bold action is urgently needed.
Hosting COP31 must be a catalyst for genuine leadership on climate and health and decisive domestic action that reflects the lived health realities of all people living in Australia and our Pacific neighbours.
Authored by the Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA), the letter was signed by 100 health organisations and individuals from across the health community, the letter was delivered in late July to Kate Thwaites, Special Envoy for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, as well as:
- the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese
- the Minister and Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen and Josh Wilson
- the Minister of Health, Disability and Aging, Mark Butler
- the Assistant Minister of Health, Disability and Aging, Rebecca White
- the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong.
