Tobias Alfvén presents at COP29: Addressing climate change and child health
Tobias Alfven attended session on COP29 in Azerbaijan focusing health and climate action, to present a report on the effects of climate change on child health and well-being. The session emphasized the urgent need to recognize the climate crisis as a health crisis, particularly for children, who are disproportionately affected due to their unique vulnerabilities from pregnancy through adolescence
“The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue; it’s a health crisis that threatens our children’s future.” This crucial message resonated at the recent COP29 event The Health Argument for Climate Action, with a Special Focus on Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health. Tobias Alfven, professor at the Department of Global Public Health was invited to present the report, “A Threat to Progress: Confronting the Effects of Climate Change on Child Health and Well-being”. The report was published earlier this year is co-authored with Daniel Helldén and UNICEF.
Children are uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, facing heightened health risks from pregnancy through adolescence. The event highlighted critical evidence linking climate change to adverse health outcomes, advocating for immediate climate action to protect human health. It called for enhanced leadership and collaboration across health and related sectors to safeguard children’s health and well-being. Notable participants included Spain’s Prime Minister, the COP-29 Chief Negotiator, the Director-General of WHO, deputy executive director for UNICEF and youth delegates.
"As we confront the climate crisis, we must recognize that protecting our children’s health is not just an option—it’s an obligation. It’s crucial for all sectors to join this fight to ensure a healthier, safer future for our children" says Alfvén.