Speech prepared for delivery at the Opening Ceremony of the G20 Health Ministers' Meeting
Honourable Ministers, colleagues
The health impacts of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste are clear. Just as the linked threats of infectious diseases with pandemic potential, like COVID-19, are clear.
Climate change is already causing droughts, floods, heatwaves and other impacts that cost lives and damage human health. Last month, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a code red. Climate impact on health are only going to intensify unless we do something. Nobody will be safe.
Meanwhile, 260,000 tonnes of plastic particles have accumulated in oceans. Climate change, pollution and the unsustainable consumption of nature’s products are driving zoonotic spillover events, disease transmission and the risk of Antimicrobial Resistance, or AMR. Two billion children worldwide are exposed to air pollution. Meanwhile, evidence is growing that environmental degradation is causing mental health problems.
We are a species in peril, living on a planet in peril. But if we act urgently on the triple planetary crisis and pull the planet out of the emergency room, we can save lives and reduce the burden on healthcare systems.
This means pandemic recovery measures that back green solutions for healthy and climate-resilient systems. This means decarbonization. This means backing solutions that work with nature. This means financing adaptation in developing nations. This means a shift to sustainable consumption and production. As the G20 is responsible for around three quarters of greenhouse gas emissions and much of the demand for resources, the burden of action lies largely with these nations. With your nations.
Beyond these steps, strengthening the One Health approach and its environmental dimensions is an important element of the treatment plan for our sick planet.
We have seen growing recognition of this approach, which views human, animal and planetary health as one and the same. Important new bodies are forming, such as the One Health High Level Expert Panel and the Global Leaders Group on AMR. The G7 and G20 have both issued declarations backing One Health. Now is the time to use this political momentum to promote integrated, multi-sector and multi-stakeholder initiatives. Initiatives backed by adequate structures and governance mechanisms.
Under such initiatives, we can implement actions that build coordinated surveillance and early warning systems on zoonotic diseases, AMR and other emerging health threats. Actions that improve science for more coordinated interventions. That ensure strong global stewardship of nature and biodiversity to prevent health risks. That create incentives to improve sustainable farming practices and sustainable trade in domestic and wild animals. That strengthen tenure and management rights of local populations and indigenous peoples – because these people manage nature better and hold deep knowledge and skills on health risks.
All these actions depend on strong financial support for joint capacity building initiatives and tools related to One Health.
Only USD 220 million in financing was committed to One Health activities in 13 countries in 2020 – including India, China and some West African nations. Yet investments in One Health required to prevent future pandemics are estimated at around USD 3.4 billion per year. This might seem like a lot of money. But contrast this investment with the COVID-19 pandemic, which could cost the global economy USD 15.8 trillion. Investing billions now would be money well spent.
Friends, the triple planetary crisis is a grave public health issue. We should treat it as such. The G20 has the clout to lead on tackling this crisis and boosting the One Health approach. If your nations take the right actions now, they can save millions of lives and billions of dollars each year. We are all counting on you to get the job done.
Thank you.
Executive Director
