October 30, 2024 | 3:30-4:30 PM 

Rationale

The healthcare sector in Asia faces unprecedented challenges as the impacts of climate change intensify, affecting not only health outcomes but also the very infrastructure and systems designed to support public health. To ensure that healthcare systems can withstand and adapt to these evolving threats, there is an urgent need for transformative system redesign that goes beyond traditional notions of resilience. This plenary session, titled “Beyond Resilience: Mitigating and Adapting to Future Challenges in Asian Healthcare through Transformative System Redesign,” seeks to explore innovative approaches to building climate-adaptive and resilient healthcare systems.

Through global, regional, and local perspectives, the session will highlight strategies for integrating climate adaptation and preventive healthcare into existing frameworks, especially in low- and middle-income countries. By addressing the intersection of healthcare transformation, child health, and environmental sustainability, this plenary will inspire new thinking and actionable solutions to safeguard the health of communities across Asia in the face of a rapidly changing climate.

Session Objectives

This plenary aims to explore and showcase innovative approaches to building climate-resilient healthcare systems in Asia, focusing on system transformation and preventive strategies to address future challenges. Specifically, this plenary session seek to:

• Examine global, regional, and local strategies for integrating climate adaptation and resilience into healthcare systems.

• Highlight transformative healthcare redesign efforts that prioritize sustainability and resilience in low- and middle-income countries.

• Discuss the role of preventive healthcare in enhancing community resilience and reducing climate-related health risks.

• Showcase successful models and frameworks for creating safe, green, and climate-adaptive healthcare facilities, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children.

• Foster cross-sector collaboration and dialogue to develop actionable solutions for transforming healthcare systems to meet future climate challenges.

Rationale

The healthcare sector is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, with a disproportionate impact in regions like Asia. Characterized by diverse healthcare systems, ranging from public to private, urban to rural, and varying levels of economic development, Asia presents a complex landscape for addressing climate change. While a handful of leading healthcare facilities, particularly in developed economies, have made strides in calculating emissions baselines and developing net zero strategies, the majority of Asian healthcare institutions are still in the early stages of their sustainability journey. This session aims to shed light on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Asian healthcare facilities in achieving net zero, and to foster knowledge sharing among pioneers in the field. 

This session is being organized by Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA) and Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) Global, in partnership with the Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy (HPMU) and the Centre for Sustainable Medicine (CoSM) of the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Session Objectives

To understand the specific strategies and interventions required to achieve real net zero emissions in the Asian healthcare sector, given the region's diverse characteristics, this session will: 

• Highlight the critical role of the Asian healthcare sector in mitigating climate change and building net zero and resilient health systems.

• Share practical experiences and lessons learned from leading Asian healthcare institutions in their pursuit of net zero emissions.

• Identify key barriers and enablers for achieving net zero in the diverse healthcare contexts of Asia.

• Foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among Asian healthcare professionals to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future.

• By addressing these objectives, the session seeks to uncover the unique challenges and opportunities presented by different Asian healthcare institutions in their transition to a net zero healthcare sector. 

Format

This 2-hour session will employ a mix of engaging formats to promote active participation and knowledge sharing.

• Panel Discussion: A moderated panel discussion featuring representatives from Race to Zero member hospitals and other leading sustainable healthcare facilities will share their journeys towards net zero. The panelists will discuss their success stories and challenges which can offer valuable insights into the factors that enable or hinder progress towards net zero.

• Interactive Q&A Session: The audience will be encouraged to ask questions and engage in a dialogue with the panelists. This session will provide an opportunity for deeper exploration of the successes, obstacles, and opportunities in net zero healthcare that were covered in the panel discussion.

• World Café Discussion: The world café format will be used to facilitate small group discussions on specific themes related to net zero, sustainable healthcare transformation. Participants will rotate between tables, each with a different discussion topic, allowing them to share their perspectives and insights with a wider range of colleagues. The initial topics are as follows:

  • Baselining emissions and planning for net-zero

  • Policy and regulatory enablers

  • Implementing low-carbon interventions

Through this combined format, participants will have the opportunity to contribute in identifying the most significant obstacles to achieving net zero in the Asian context (ie. limited resources, infrastructure constraints, and policy gaps) and exploring the unique opportunities presented by the region (ie. rapid technological advancements, and a strong emphasis on community engagement).

Speakers

Rationale

This session is crucial for addressing the evolving challenges that climate change poses to environmental health issues, with a specific focus on lessons learned from Vietnam. This session aligns with the conference's theme of climate adaptation and resilience by highlighting both global and regional strategies, particularly those implemented in Vietnam. Key topics will include preventive healthcare strategies that enhance climate resilience in low- and middle-income countries, the role of transforming healthcare systems to build resilience, and global perspectives on creating healthy environments for children safe and green healthcare facilities. Special emphasis will be placed on the critical importance of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and children's health within the climate change context. By examining Vietnam's experiences, this session aims to provide valuable insights and strategies that can be applied to other regions, ensuring that healthcare systems are well-prepared for future climate-related challenges and can achieve sustainable health outcomes across Asia.

Session Objectives

The session aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• Highlight the importance of integrating climate resilience into healthcare systems in terms of preventive and curative care and in terms of all health major thematic areas (health, nutrition, wash, infection disease, noncommunicable diseases, others) 

• Share successful strategies and approaches from various regions and local settings in Asia, with a clear example from Vietnam.

• Discuss innovative preventive healthcare strategies tailored for low-middle income countries.

• Explore global perspectives on creating healthy environments for children.

• By the end of the session, participants should have actionable insights and strategies to enhance the climate resilience of healthcare systems in their respective regions.

• To improve and develop a shared understanding of climate-resilient WASH and nutrition with a specific focus on:

• Climate change impacts and adaptation planning to mitigate vulnerability of water and sanitation.

• Provide a potential direction for future work on WASH in the context of climate change in Viet Nam and at the regional level.

• Improving climate resilience of nutrition service systems

Format

• Presentations: Each topic will be introduced through a detailed presentation.

• Panel Discussions: Experts will discuss and debate key issues and strategies.

• Q&A Session: An interactive segment allowing participants to engage with speakers.

Rationale

The global focus on plastic pollution primarily revolves around consumer products such as packaging and single-use wrappers. However, the impact of the healthcare sector, a crucial provider of life-saving services, cannot be underestimated in this crisis. The healthcare sector in Asia heavily relies on single-use plastics for disposable syringes, IV bags, personal protective equipment, and packaging materials. The irony is evident as the very materials designed to protect human health are now posing significant threats to it.

This issue became more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, worsening hospitals' challenges in managing their plastic waste even after the pandemic. Additionally, the increased usage of medical face masks, test kits, and takeout containers during the pandemic led to a surge in plastic consumption as people sought the convenience and hygiene of single-use plastic products, influenced by the industry's claim of their safety and hygiene.

The plastic crisis directly and indirectly threatens human health. Direct exposure to plastic products such as chemicals and microplastics has adverse effects, while the production and disposal of plastics contribute to air pollution and climate change. 

In 2022, the UNEA 5.14 resolution was approved in response to the escalating levels of plastic pollution and the growing need for prompt and sustained action to address its long-term effects on the environment and human health. It emphasizes the necessity for additional global efforts to comprehensively manage the entire plastic pollution lifecycle.

The World Health Organization adopted a World Health Assembly Resolution 76.17 on the Impacts of Chemicals, Waste and Pollution in March 2023, highlighting the importance of One Health approach, unifying different UN agencies to implement an integrated approach with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the World Organization for Animal Health. 

In this resolution, it was also highlighted that improper management of toxic chemicals, waste, and pollution would have significant impacts on human health and the environment, increasing the risks for non-communicable diseases.

Session Objectives

• To highlight the environmental and human health impact of plastics used in healthcare facilities and their contribution to climate change.

• To discuss strategies for reducing plastic usage in healthcare settings and transitioning towards more environmentally safe and sustainable alternatives.

• To draft the Conference Resolution on Linking Plastics with Climate on Human Health

Format

• Roundtable discussion - The session will be structured as a roundtable discussion, providing a platform for various stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, civil society organizations, and clinicians, to offer their unique perspectives. The focus will be on exploring the health implications of the interconnection between plastics and climate change as part of the effort to promote environmentally sustainable practices in hospital settings.

• Open Forum

• Conference Resolution for Plastics and Health Write shop - The main purpose of organizing the write shop is to support the creation of a thorough preliminary draft containing recommendations and resolutions that are specifically centered on the health sector. These resolutions are meant for submission for consideration at the 5th International Negotiating Committee (INC-5) for the Global Plastics Treaty in Busan, Korea.

• Report back to the participants.

Rationale

Co-organized by FHI 360, USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia, and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), this session will highlight the critical role of translating climate data into actionable insights for climate-smart healthcare and health system resilience. 

Accurate climate data is essential for preparing for and responding to climate-induced events. Participants will engage with real-time data and practitioners through interactive tools (e.g., Slido, Mentimeter) and group activities, enhancing their understanding of both the supply and demand sides of climate data provision. Emphasis will be placed on making scientific climate data understandable and practical for community-level use.

Data providers will share insights on climate information services, showcasing resources like SERVIR Southeast Asia. Practical examples of climate data integration will demonstrate its importance for informed decision-making. Representatives from hospitals, governments, and development banks will discuss the need for translating climate data to improve health sector planning, budgeting, and investments. Additionally, a private sector perspective on supply chain impacts will highlight the interconnectedness of environmental data and health sector resilience. 

Participants will have an opportunity to practice developing actionable plans incorporating climate data. This session underscores the need for collaboration to leverage climate data, ensuring comprehensive strategies to address climate change impacts on health systems and build resilience.

Session Objectives

• Enhance understanding of the importance of climate data for strengthening and planning health systems.

• Increase awareness of tools, resources, and approaches to integrate climate data into health sector planning.

• Improve multi-sectoral collaboration to advance climate-smart health care, including among environmental and health sectors and the private sector.

• Provide participants the opportunity to interact with, manipulate, and understand the power of real-time data for health systems planning.

• Enhance recognition of the need for transformative approaches to mitigate and adapt to future climate-related challenges in Asia.

Format

The workshop will begin with an opening remarks on the critical need for climate data in strengthening and planning health systems. This will be followed by a fireside chat focusing on the crucial role of translating climate data into actionable insights for climate-smart healthcare and health system resilience, featuring perspectives from both users (demand) and data providers (supply). Next, interactive activities will allow participants to engage with, manipulate, and understand the power of real-time data for health systems planning. These dynamic exercises will enable participants to practice developing actionable health system plans that incorporate climate data.

Rationale

This plenary session invites participants to delve into the heart of climate resilience by expounding on the theme "Pursuing Climate Justice through Equitable Healthcare." Emphasizing a collaborative approach, the session aims to explore key challenges and opportunities in addressing the challenges posed by climate change, fostering a just transition in Asian healthcare systems, empowering communities, and integrating detoxification and decarbonization with an equity and justice lens.

As climate change impacts health unevenly, particularly affecting vulnerable communities, the conference seeks to identify actionable strategies to protect those most affected, emphasizing the imperative of addressing the unique needs of women and children. By prioritizing the health and well-being of the most vulnerable sectors, we can foster resilience and equity in the face of environmental challenges. Our regional focus will provide insights into the role of healthcare systems and facilities in the broader context of a just transition.

Community engagement is central to the pursuit of equitable access to health and climate justice. Through sharing successful initiatives and facilitating knowledge exchange, the session will showcase the vital role of communities in shaping sustainable healthcare practices. Furthermore, it will highlight the need for a nuanced approach to detoxifying and decarbonizing healthcare, ensuring that the transition is equitable and just.

Session Objectives

To foster a collaborative dialogue among healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders to share strategies for ensuring health in climate vulnerable cities. The session aims to:

• Identify key challenges and opportunities in addressing the health impacts of climate change in Asian healthcare systems,

• Understand  just transition in healthcare, ensuring that the benefits of climate action are equitably distributed,

• Integrate detoxification and decarbonization into healthcare systems in a manner that prioritizes equity and justice,

• Address the unique needs of vulnerable populations, including women and children, who are disproportionately affected by climate change.

• Explore the role of healthcare systems and facilities in the broader context of a just transition in Asia.

Rationale

This session is crucial for addressing the evolving challenges that climate change poses to environmental health issues, with a specific focus on lessons learned from Vietnam. This session aligns with the conference's theme of climate adaptation and resilience by highlighting both global and regional strategies, particularly those implemented in Vietnam. Key topics will include preventive healthcare strategies that enhance climate resilience in low- and middle-income countries, the role of transforming healthcare systems to build resilience, and global perspectives on creating healthy environments for children safe and green healthcare facilities. Special emphasis will be placed on the critical importance of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and children's health within the climate change context. By examining Vietnam's experiences, this session aims to provide valuable insights and strategies that can be applied to other regions, ensuring that healthcare systems are well-prepared for future climate-related challenges and can achieve sustainable health outcomes across Asia.

Session Objectives

The session aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• Highlight the importance of integrating climate resilience into healthcare systems in terms of preventive and curative care and in terms of all health major thematic areas (health, nutrition, wash, infection disease, noncommunicable diseases, others) 

• Share successful strategies and approaches from various regions and local settings in Asia, with a clear example from Vietnam.

• Discuss innovative preventive healthcare strategies tailored for low-middle income countries.

• Explore global perspectives on creating healthy environments for children.

• By the end of the session, participants should have actionable insights and strategies to enhance the climate resilience of healthcare systems in their respective regions.

• To improve and develop a shared understanding of climate-resilient WASH and nutrition with a specific focus on:

• Climate change impacts and adaptation planning to mitigate vulnerability of water and sanitation.

• Provide a potential direction for future work on WASH in the context of climate change in Viet Nam and at the regional level.

• Improving climate resilience of nutrition service systems

Format

The 2-hour session will feature:

• Presentations: Each topic will be introduced through a detailed presentation.

• Q&A Session: An interactive segment allowing participants to engage with speakers.

Rationale

The parallel session will explore the critical intersection of healthcare and plastic waste reduction in the context of climate change. By addressing the significant impact of plastic waste on healthcare delivery, environmental sustainability, and public health, the session aims to contribute to the development of sustainable and equitable healthcare practices in the Asia-Pacific region.

Specifically, the session will delve into empowering communities through discussions on innovative strategies and solutions, such as the importance of policies to practice, promoting sustainable procurement practices, and developing institution/community-based waste management programs, the session seeks to identify practical and scalable solutions.

Session Objectives

This session aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness between healthcare, plastic waste reduction, and community resilience in the context of climate change in particular, this session aims to:

• Highlight the significant impact of plastic waste on healthcare, environmental sustainability, and public health.

• Explore the role of community-based initiatives and partnerships in addressing plastic waste and ensuring circular healthcare.

• Share practical examples of successful plastic waste reduction initiatives in healthcare settings.

• Foster a culture of sustainability and resilience within healthcare systems.

Format

Parallel Session 2.2 will create an engaging environment to encourage active participation and maximize knowledge sharing. This will be achieved through:

• Empowering presentations

• A moderated panel discussion

• Question and Answer

Rationale

Developing climate-resilient, low-carbon, and sustainable healthcare and waste management at all levels of public and private health systems is a crucial challenge of the 21st century. The increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, extreme weather events and environmental pollution pose serious impacts on people’s health, increasing non-communicable diseases and facilitating the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. These impacts fall disproportionately on vulnerable groups including children, women and the elderly, poor households, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and informal and migrant workers, and those in climate-vulnerable areas such as coastal and delta and island regions, remote uplands communities, and other areas subject to climate change impacts. Meanwhile, it has been estimated that the healthcare sector is responsible for 4-5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Medical wastes pose a considerable environmental challenge and make up a significant proportion of overall health sector emissions. Medical wastes that are not effectively sorted and managed pose environmental contamination and disease transmission risks: inefficient incineration can pollute the environment, while medical wastes that are not incinerated may end up in common landfills, posing further risks of environmental pollution, disease transmission, and other health impacts. 

Session Objectives

The session aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• Highlight the importance of developing climate-resilient, low-carbon, and sustainable healthcare and waste management throughout healthcare systems at all levels.

• Share strategies, models and approaches from the Asia-Pacific region, including a focus on examples from Viet Nam. 

• By the end of the session, participants should have access to information and strategies to strengthen and enhance healthcare and waste management facilities and systems as an essential part of climate change adaptation, contributing to maintaining access and quality of essential healthcare services when faced with disruptions caused by extreme weather events or other natural disasters. 

Format

The 2-hour session will feature:

• Presentations: Each topic will be introduced through a concise and engaging presentation.

• Panel Discussions: Experts will discuss and debate key issues and strategies.

• Q&A Session: An interactive segment allowing participants to engage with speakers.

Rationale

Climate change is not just an environmental issue—it is a profound health crisis that exacerbates existing social and health inequities, particularly for the most vulnerable communities in Asia. As the region faces increasing climate-induced health risks, such as extreme heat, flooding, and air pollution, the need for climate justice becomes ever more pressing. The impact of these environmental challenges disproportionately affects marginalized groups, including low-income communities, Indigenous Peoples, women, and children, who often have limited access to healthcare and resources to adapt to these changes.

Healthcare professionals are in a unique position to champion climate justice and health equity. They not only witness the direct health impacts of the climate crisis but also serve as trusted voices within their communities. By integrating justice-oriented practices into their work, health professionals can play a pivotal role in advocating for systemic changes that address the root causes of health disparities linked to climate change.

This session aims to move beyond theoretical discussions and provide participants with practical tools and strategies to incorporate climate justice and health equity into their work. By sharing experiences, challenges, and solutions, we seek to empower health professionals to become effective advocates for a more just and equitable healthcare system that meets the needs of all communities in the face of a changing climate.

Session Objectives

This session aims to equip health professionals with practical tools and strategies to integrate climate justice and health equity into their work. By fostering a deeper understanding of these concepts, the session will enable participants to advocate for systemic changes and support communities impacted by the climate crisis. Specifically, the session aims to:

• Understand the intersection of climate justice and health equity, and its relevance to healthcare practice in Asia.

• Identify key challenges and opportunities for addressing health disparities in climate-vulnerable communities.

• Develop actionable strategies to incorporate justice-oriented approaches in healthcare settings and community initiatives.

• Strengthen networks and collaborations among health professionals committed to advancing climate justice and health equity.

• Encourage participants to be advocates for change, using their roles to promote a more just and equitable healthcare system.

Format

This 2-hour session will employ a mix of engaging formats to integrate theory into practice. 

Rationale

The intersection of healthcare and environmental sustainability has never been more critical than it is today. With the accelerating climate crisis and growing concerns about environmental degradation, the health sector finds itself at the frontline of a multifaceted battle—one that directly impacts public health. Healthcare professionals, by virtue of their role in safeguarding health, are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in advocating for climate and environmental health. Their scientific expertise, combined with their high level of trust in the public, equips them to influence change on both individual and systemic levels.

Climate Resilience and the Role of Healthcare

Climate resilience refers to the capacity of individuals, communities, and systems to survive, adapt, and thrive amid the shocks and stresses of a changing climate. As the frequency of climate-related disasters—such as extreme heat, floods, and hurricanes—increases, healthcare systems must be prepared to respond effectively. Hospitals and health institutions often serve as critical infrastructures during these crises, providing essential services and care to those most affected. Yet, many healthcare facilities are not designed to withstand extreme weather events, making them vulnerable to disruption at times when they are needed most. 

Building climate resilience within the healthcare sector requires forward-thinking strategies that incorporate sustainable infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and the ability to address long-term health impacts caused by climate change. Healthcare professionals can lead these efforts by promoting policies and practices that strengthen the resilience of health systems, ensuring they are better equipped to handle both immediate crises and chronic environmental challenges.

Climate Justice: Addressing Inequities in Health and the Environment

Climate justice is a crucial aspect of healthcare advocacy in the context of environmental health. It recognizes that climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations—those who are least responsible for global carbon emissions but bear the brunt of its consequences. These include low-income communities, indigenous peoples, communities of color, and people in developing nations, many of whom already face barriers to healthcare access. 

For healthcare professionals, climate justice means advocating for equitable health outcomes by addressing the social, economic, and environmental determinants of health. This involves recognizing the unequal health impacts of climate change and ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to climate-resilient healthcare services. By integrating climate justice into healthcare advocacy, professionals can push for policies that mitigate these inequities, promoting environmental health solutions that prioritize those most at risk.

Plastics and Health

Plastics, in particular, present an alarming challenge. From production to disposal, plastics contribute to environmental pollution and climate change. This affects both direct health outcomes, such as respiratory issues from burning plastics, and indirect outcomes, including increased disease susceptibility due to ecosystem disruption. Despite these clear connections, the healthcare sector has often been slow to acknowledge and address its own environmental footprint. 

Overcoming Barriers in the Health Sector

One key reason why the healthcare sector has been slow to address its environmental footprint is the gap in knowledge among healthcare professionals. Studies reveal widespread barriers to sustainability within hospitals, ranging from a limited understanding of sustainability issues to work environments that do not prioritize green practices. However, this narrative needs to shift. As stewards of health, healthcare professionals have an ethical responsibility to advocate for practices that not only improve individual patient outcomes but also protect public health on a broader scale. Sustainability and climate resilience should be seen as integral parts of the healthcare system, particularly in the face of increasing environmental risks.

Catalyzing Change: The Role of Healthcare Leaders

Catalyzing this change requires a multi-pronged approach: fostering green leadership within the health sector, developing educational programs that empower healthcare workers with the knowledge to implement sustainable practices, and leveraging the credibility of healthcare professionals to engage with the public and policymakers on the urgency of environmental health issues. Additionally, health institutions must champion climate justice by advocating for policies that address the disproportionate burden of climate change on vulnerable communities.

In Plenary 3, "Catalysts for Change: Leading the Charge in Healthcare Advocacy for Climate and Environmental Health," we will explore how healthcare leaders, professionals, and institutions can act as advocates for a healthier planet. By fostering climate resilience, addressing climate justice, and prioritizing sustainable practices, the healthcare sector can become a proactive force in the global fight against climate change and environmental degradation. By leading the charge, healthcare professionals can shift the paradigm and inspire widespread change—ensuring that healthcare not only heals but also helps protect the planet for future generations.

Session Objectives

• To emphasize the role of healthcare leaders in advocating for policies that strengthen the resilience of health systems, ensuring they are better equipped to handle immediate crises and chronic environmental challenges.

• To promote the integration of climate justice into healthcare advocacy efforts, aiming to mitigate health inequities caused by climate change and prioritize vulnerable populations in environmental health solutions.

• To drive change within the healthcare sector by fostering health leadership, empowering healthcare workers with the knowledge to implement sustainable practices and leveraging the credibility of healthcare professionals to engage with the public and policymakers on urgent environmental health issues.

Rationale

Empowering Healthcare Warriors: Championing Climate & Health Solutions is a session led by the RISE Southeast Asia Alliance for Health and Climate, spotlighting the transformative leadership role that healthcare professionals play in advancing climate and health solutions. Positioned at the intersection of patient care and advocacy, health professionals have an unparalleled platform to champion planetary health through climate-conscious practices, community engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.

Aligned with the RISE mission to build a competent, inclusive alliance of healthcare leaders across Southeast Asia, this session will delve into leadership and advocacy themes, emphasizing the importance of empowering health professionals to take actionable steps in promoting climate resilience, health equity, and sustainable systems within and beyond healthcare settings. Key discussion areas will include clinician-led initiatives to address environmental health determinants, examples of successful advocacy efforts, and best practices in fostering cross-sector partnerships that drive regional change.

Through real-world case studies and a community of practice, participants will explore opportunities, confront challenges, and discover actionable steps to initiate or enhance sustainable practices within their own institutions. By supporting and equipping healthcare professionals with the tools to lead in climate action, this session underscores the potential for systemic transformation and a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Session Objectives

This session aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• Position healthcare professionals as pivotal leaders in addressing climate change and its impact on health in Southeast Asia.

• Equip and support clinicians to develop and implement innovative strategies for climate resilience and broader health determinants in their communities.

• Identify and facilitate partnerships to drive transformative change in health and climate initiatives.

• Empower participants to join and promote networks and alliances for collective action.

• Highlight the critical role of healthcare professionals in tackling climate change and its health impacts.

Format

The session will include individual presentations followed by a moderated panel discussion. If time permits, a Q&A session with the audience will be conducted to encourage interactive participation. 

The session will begin with a context-setting on the unique position that healthcare professionals hold in advocating for climate justice and health equity within and beyond their facilities. This will be followed by a fireside chat showcasing clinician-led initiatives across Southeast Asia in addressing climate and health education, and air pollution. Participants will then be divided into groups to engage in two interactive activities: creating a headline to capture their vision for the climate and health landscape in the future and identifying one to-do item that they can take on to reach that headline vision. These exercises will spark inspiration and commitment, empowering participants to drive transformative change for a healthier, more sustainable future.

Rationale

This session seeks to address the crucial need for environmental sustainability in healthcare facilities. It aims to showcase successful initiatives and innovative practices in transitioning healthcare facilities towards environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

The rationale for this session stems from the growing global concern about the environmental impact of healthcare facilities, including issues related to healthcare waste, plastics, procurement, and chemicals. As emphasized by a "Healthcare waste management: a case for sustainable and inclusive systems," sustainable waste management practices are essential for reducing the environmental burden posed by healthcare activities. Moreover, the study by M. Zampini et al., "The role of sustainable procurement in environmental and social sustainability within healthcare," highlights the importance of sustainable procurement in driving environmental and social sustainability within healthcare settings.

The case studies and best practices to be presented during the session will draw inspiration from successful initiatives around the Southeast Asian region. These insights are expected to align with the principles advocated in the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network's agenda, thereby fostering a collaborative approach towards promoting environmental sustainability within healthcare settings.

Through this session, the aim is to create a platform for healthcare professionals and organizations to engage in knowledge exchange, to learn from successful case studies, and to jointly work towards building environmentally sustainable healthcare facilities.

Session Objectives

• Share compelling stories and insightful case studies from various healthcare facilities around the Southeast Asian region, showcasing innovative practices and successful initiatives.

• Delve into effective strategies and best practices for transitioning healthcare facilities toward environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Explore topics such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, sustainable sourcing, and climate change adaptation in healthcare settings.

• Foster a collaborative space for in-depth discussions, experience sharing, and knowledge exchange with the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Network, connecting healthcare professionals and organizations committed to promoting environmental sustainability and health in healthcare.

Format

The session will commence with an introduction by a distinguished speaker, who will provide the necessary context for the discussion. Following this, there will be an interactive session where best practices will be shared through real-life case studies in healthcare facilities or systems settings.

Rationale

In a world where the climate crisis is the defining issue of our time, the healthcare sector has a central and inarguable role to play in driving sustainable change. This plenary session will ignite leadership and advocacy in the face of urgent environmental health challenges, perfectly complementing the conference’s overarching theme. Now that climate impacts such as worsening air quality and the scourge of plastic waste are impossible to ignore, the health sector must not only respond but, equally importantly, provide leadership in the call to action. This session will showcase how healthcare must now be at the forefront of advocating for sustainable practices and climate resilience. 

The session will start with a panel discussion that will look at how to draw on the expertise and amplify the voices of health leaders and promote stronger and closer active collaboration between health and climate sectors. From navigating and confronting policy constraints to overcoming resource limitations, the discussion will tackle the obstacles that institutions face on the ground and explore innovative solutions to these pressing issues. The panellists, drawing from their diverse expertise and experiences, will provide a comprehensive look at how we can work together to make healthcare practices more sustainable and less carbon-intensive at all levels.  

Panellists are recognised authorities in their respective domains and pioneers in bridging the critical intersection between health and climate. Each panellist will speak compellingly on how to provide actionable insights that will show how essential it is now that health and climate sectors are engaging with each other and working together to advocate for change at all levels. This discussion will inspire new approaches to planetary health leadership, encourage participants to move beyond our traditional healthcare paradigm and explore how we can all contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet. 

Following the panel discussion, an interactive discussion using a ‘World Cafe’ style format will deepen understanding of how to embed planetary health principles into healthcare practice and policy. By focusing on three main key areas; Governance, Education and Communications, the discussion will share actions that can be taken to better mainstream planetary health approaches and thinking. By encouraging participants to contribute their own experiences and ideas, the World Cafe’s hopes to generate a wealth of concrete ideas and proposals that can be taken back to respective organisations and communities.  

This session is not just a discussion, it is a call to action for every participant to play a role in transforming healthcare to better serve both people and the planet. 

Session Objectives

• To encourage collaborative discussions between the health and climate sectors, exchange best practices, and address the specific challenges and opportunities for sustainable, low-carbon and climate-resilient healthcare in the Asia region. 

• To underscore the vital role of the health sector in this work.  

• To flag the need to integrate planetary health into green healthcare facilities, showcasing what is already being done to tackle environmental health issues.  

Target Outcomes

• Enhanced awareness among the participants on how important the health sector is in driving environmental sustainability and advocating for climate action, and to align healthcare practices with broader climate goals. 

• Improved collaboration and networking among health leaders, climate experts, and policymakers, promoting joint initiatives and holistic approaches to transform the healthcare sector in the region toward climate resilience, decarbonisation, and sustainability. 

• Development of cohesive strategies among the participants for tackling climate and environmental health challenges focusing on pollution and detoxifying healthcare to ensure that diverse strategies and initiatives are harmonised for greater collective impact.

Format

This 2-hour session will employ a mix of engaging formats to promote active participation and knowledge sharing.

Rationale

Over the recent years, there is palpable heightened awareness and movement of  leaders from various institutions and sectors in the Asia Region towards acknowledgement of the vital link of climate and health.  One big reason is the experiences and lessons during the pandemic, second is  the severe health implications of big both climate disasters such as typhoons and torrential rains, and slow onset impact of  climate cha8nge as seen in the region.  There are several sources of leadership initiatives we are seeing around climate and health - Ministries of Health, hospitals, healthcare professionals, multilateral agencies, donors, local government entities, non-government organizations, and other civil society groups.  

The call has heightened beyond awareness raising and being able to articulate the issue.  The demand for action and change ranges from building adaptive capacity to resilience development in healthcare, to phased decarbonization in hospitals, and to conduct policy reviews and revisions impacting climate and health.

Yet these actions by various groups, even if led by healthcare professionals, clinicians, ministry officials, or advocates from health-focused multilateral and non-profit organizations, are not necessarily coordinated with other stakeholders.  Projects abound, but broader unity towards a common set of climate and health goals and strategies in broader territories, whether regional or sub-regional scope, is lacking.  Much has been attained, but much more has to be achieved in terms of strategic cross-sectoral collaboration and joint leadership to obtain transformative momentum of change in healthcare systems   in the Asia region.  

This session will explore the challenges and potentials of leadership in the Asia region to accelerate transformation of healthcare systems towards sustainability and climate resilience.

Session Objectives

• To illustrate cases of successful leadership in the region over the past years in the field of climate and health where cross sector collaboration is seen;

• To articulate how key sectors are able to multiply its health and climate leadership impacting any of three areas of measurement:  policy development; resource allocation towards resilience, adaptation or mitigation in health; and system wide mobilization of stakeholders’ commitment.

• To propose strategies or approaches in the next 3 three or five years where transformative change on climate and health is defined and pursued through joint cross-sectoral leadership 

• To determine leadership development strategies on climate and health that applies in Asia context

Format

The session will begin with keynote remarks on what sort of cross sectoral leadership approaches, styles and brand will be essential for the region to obtain qualitative transformation.  What does transformative change mean for healthcare systems in Asia, such a question will be elaborated in the remarks.  A panel discussion reflective of cross sectoral representation will be formed to deliberate four key questions:  

• What are the good experiences and actual cases of cross-sectoral leadership that tackles issues of climate and health in the Asia region?  What have been the challenges?  How are these obstacles overcome?  What are the outcomes?

• As leaders in your own right, how do you see climate and health issues manifest in your areas of responsibility?  What is your role in defining the problem?  How do you arrive at solutions?  How are other leaders from other institutions able to help?  Is joint leadership applicable and effective?

• How do we measure climate and health joint leadership impact?  Policy?  Budget? Behavioral change?  How were you able to pursue them?

• What strategies do you propose in the next 3 to 5 years to pursue transformative change on climate and health?  What leadership is required?  How is joint leadership exercised in that vision of transformative change?  What do we demand from other leaders?  How do we build leaders?