WHO report estimates economic benefits of six climate action measures
WHO estimates that scaling up six climate and health measures could yield US$3.9 trillion in economic benefits and a further US$5.4 trillion in fiscal gains annually.
- A new WHO report estimates that six specific climate action measures could generate US$3.9 trillion in annual economic benefits and prevent 1.6 million deaths each year.
- The six measures include efficient fossil fuel pricing, clean household fuels, improved water, sanitation, and hygiene services, and heat-health warning systems.
- The analysis shows a significant return on investment, with an average of US$24 in benefits for every US$1 invested in the assessed measures.
- Efficient fossil fuel pricing is projected to deliver the greatest overall benefits, accounting for US$3 trillion in annual economic gains and the prevention of 1.2 million deaths.
The World Health Organization (WHO) released a new report on Wednesday (November 4, 2026), estimating that expanding six measures to tackle climate change and protect public health worldwide could prevent up to 1.6 million deaths each year.
The measures could also generate US$3.9 trillion in annual economic benefits and a further US$5.4 trillion a year in fiscal gains.
The report, Global benefits and costs of prioritized actions on climate change and health, examines the economic and fiscal returns from scaling up climate and health measures prioritised by WHO.
It highlights how investment in tackling global warming can reduce illness and deaths and bring long-term economic benefits alongside environmental improvements.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, described the climate crisis as a health crisis and said many of its effects could be prevented with tools already available.
He said the report showed that expanding proven, affordable measures could save millions of lives, with the greatest benefits going to countries with the greatest need.
He also stressed that protecting public health must be central to climate action as governments around the world prepare for a new round of climate negotiations.
Six climate measures to reduce deaths
WHO estimates that expanding all six measures worldwide could prevent about 1.6 million deaths a year, equivalent to one in every 40 deaths globally, based on modelled projections.
The six measures are:
- Heat-health warning systems to alert people to risks from high temperatures and reduce heat-related illness or death.
- Drinking-water services to ensure access to safe drinking water even as the climate changes.
- Basic sanitation services to reduce health risks caused by inadequate systems for managing human waste.
- Hygiene and handwashing facilities to improve hygiene and limit the spread of disease.
- Clean household fuels and technologies for cooking and heating to reduce exposure to indoor air pollution.
- Efficient fossil fuel pricing policies, including the removal of inefficient subsidies and appropriate taxation of fossil fuels.
WHO also estimates that, alongside the health benefits, these measures could cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 16,700 million tonnes, equivalent to about 31% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use, land-use change and forestry.
Average benefits of US$24 for every US$1 invested
For the five measures for which returns on investment could be assessed, the analysis estimates an average of US$24 in benefits for every US$1 invested.
Low- and middle-income countries are likely to gain more, potentially reducing health and economic inequalities.
Heat-health warning systems are among the measures offering the highest returns, with WHO estimating benefits of up to US$835 for every US$1 invested.
The high return reflects their ability to use existing infrastructure and systems to issue warnings and prevent heat-related illness at relatively low cost.
Meanwhile, efficient fossil fuel pricing is expected to deliver the greatest overall benefits.
It could prevent about 1.2 million deaths a year, generate US$3 trillion in annual economic benefits and bring a further US$5.4 trillion annually in fiscal gains.
WHO urges governments to invest in climate action
WHO said countries worldwide were experiencing record-breaking extreme climate events in 2026, making the protection of people and the environment from climate change one of the major challenges of the present era.
The report was released ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) to encourage governments, development agencies and financial institutions to use economic evidence to guide investment in measures that protect health and reduce the effects of global warming.
