Climate and health are increasingly linked in high-level strategies across Southeast Asia and China, but equity is getting lost in implementation.  

This is the central finding of a comprehensive ecosystem scan from the CMB/EI Climate and Health theme, released today.  

This year’s #COP31 in Antalya, Turkiye, takes place in November and focuses on moving from commitments to delivery. Its Action Agenda includes “Dynamic and Resilient Health Systems” as one of ten priority themes, with a focus on climate resilient, low-carbon, equitable health systems and empowering the communities most exposed to climate risk. 

Three resources are now available to download: 

1. ⁠The full report: Ecosystem Scan of Climate Action and Health Equity in Southeast Asia and China Download Here
2. ⁠An executive summary of the key findings and action priorities Download Here
3. A policy brief for national policymakers, ASEAN bodies and regional development partners Download Here

Burmese woman navigating through floods in Inle, Myanmar

The work was led by EI Fellows Drs Pamela Gloria Cajilig (2024, Philippines) and Suan Ee Ong (2024, Malaysia), with support from Lourdes Sabina Wabe.

Through the CMB/EI Regional Themes, our Fellows and partners converge around the region’s most pressing health equity challenges. Several other themes are emerging: Climate and Health is the first to share its work publicly, with more to come.  

Thank you to everyone who took part in the research. We look forward to building on this work with partners across the region.  

The Equity Initiative is celebrating its 10-Year Anniversary. Ten years of bringing together health equity leaders across Southeast Asia and China, all committed to building a more just and equitable region. Stories like this are what that decade looks like in practice: a reflection of fellowship, collaboration, and the shared commitment to equity.