Context: According to the new Lancet report, the spread of climate-sensitive infectious diseases in India fuels demand for improved climate-integrated forecasting, strengthened healthcare infrastructure, and increased community awareness.

• This 2024 Report tracks the relationship between health and climate change across five key domains and 56 indicators, providing the most up-to-date assessment of the links between health and climate change.

Key findings 

• India faces an escalating threat of climate-sensitive infectious diseases, with the spread of malaria to the Himalayan region and expanded dengue transmission across India.

• According to the eighth Lancet Countdown on health and climate change, developed by 122 experts, the spread of these diseases fuels demand for improved climate-integrated forecasting, strengthened healthcare infrastructure, and increased community awareness.

• The evidence-based report also revealed that the country's coastal communities face profound risks due to rising sea levels, compelling the need for effective flood adaptation plans.

• Increased in Temperature: Annual mean surface temperature reached 1.45°C above pre-industrial levels in 2023, close to breaching the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement.

• Health Impacts: Heat-related mortality among people over 65 rose by 167% since the 1990s. It also affects physical activity, sleep quality etc.

• Indians faced moderate to serious risk of heat stress for 100 days/year, amounting to 2,400 hours of heat (2023)

• Economic Losses: The average annual economic losses from weather-related extreme events increased by 23% from 2010–14 to 2019–23, to US$227 billion.

• 181 billion potential labour hours were lost due to heat exposure in 2023 in India

• Inadequate Adaptation: Many countries lack sufficient health emergency management capacities, with only 68% reporting high implementation rates. Only 35% have early warning systems for heat-related illnesses.

Positive Developments

• Despite the grim developments induced by climate change, the Lancet report mentioned some positive developments that offered hope for a better world.

• Deaths from air pollution decreased due to reductions in coal burning, and global investment in clean energy surged to $1.9 trillion in 2023.

• Employment in renewables reached record highs, underscoring the sector’s potential in supporting job security.

Key Recommendations

• Complete Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments: Ensure that countries fulfill their commitments to better understand and address the health impacts of climate change.

• Implement Health-Focused Climate Policies: Develop and enforce policies that prioritize health in climate action

• Encourage Sustainable and Rapid Energy Transition: to clean energy sources, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and promoting renewable energy technologies.