Report29th January 2025

Climate change and health: embedding ethics into policy and decision making

This report explores the importance of integrating ethics into measures that address anthropogenic climate change. It aims to inform policy development and decision-making in the UK, highlighting the need to address the intersections between climate change and health.

The environment & healthClimateFood and agricultureGlobal health

Report (PDF)Legal and regulatory review: Climate change, the environment and health in the UK (PDF)Literature review: Ethical approaches at the intersection of climate change, the environment and health (PDF)

Climate change threatens the health of all species and the future of our planet. Urgent action is needed if we are to limit the adverse effects being experienced around the world.

This report explores the importance of embedding ethics into policies that aim to address climate change. It is particularly relevant for those working in government departments and agencies focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as those in organisations whose remit intersects with climate change, health and the environment.

The report makes two key recommendations to ensure that climate change measures are fair and effective:

1. Policy and decision makers should recognise, consider and address the intersections between climate change and health when developing and implementing all climate measures.
2. Ethics should be embedded in this process from the outset.