COP30: Health Leaders Urge to Quit Fossil Fuel

Health and medical leaders from around the world deliver a strong warning in COP30, they said that moving away from fossil fuels is now one of the most important actions for protecting human health. Several major health organisations from around the world organized a press conference titled “Health Leaders Call for Life-Saving Transition Away from Fossil Fuels,”. Big global organisations asked governments to agree on a plan to shift from fossil fuels. They said this change is extremely important to save lives, protect communities, and prevent failing health systems from collapsing.

They also explained that fossil fuels are not just harming the climate but harming people’s health also at every age group. Many studies showed that fossil fuels are responsible for more than seven million premature deaths caused by air pollution every year. They also pointed out that extreme heat, wildfires, floods, and storms, which are intensified by climate change, have been laying huge pressure on the already stretched health systems.

They also referred to new research from "Cradle to Grave: The Health Toll of Fossil Fuels”, which shows how the entire fossil-fuel process from extraction from the ground to burning it that creates serious health risks. The study has revealed that if pregnant women exposed to fossil-fuel pollution, there is higher chance to have premature babies, or babies with birth defects. On the other hand, when children are exposed to it, there is higher chance to have more asthma, lung infections, and developmental issues. Adults have greater risks of heart disease, cancer, kidney problems, lung disorders, and neurological diseases. Even after fossil fuel sites stop operating, harmful chemicals can remain in the soil, water, and air for years.

The leaders also pointed out that fossil-fuel impacts are not equal. Indigenous communities, low-income neighbourhoods, frontline workers—including healthcare workers—and people living near industrial areas suffer the most. As climate impacts worsen, these inequalities will increase unless the transition is fair and just.

Support for TAFF is increasing. Countries like Brazil along with many others are now supporting a global plan to move away from fossil fuels that focuses on fairness and justice while moving away from fossil fuels. Health experts say this change is very important because stopping the use of fossil fuels will help hospitals and health systems work better and prevent millions of sicknesses and early deaths.

Joe Vipond, past president of CAPE, said: “Every year of delay means more asthma attacks, more heart emergencies, more cancers, and more premature deaths—all preventable. Transitioning away from fossil fuels isn’t just climate policy, it’s life-saving health policy.”

Courtney Howard of GCHA recalled Canada’s 2023 wildfire crisis, explaining: “Smoke from these fires circled the globe, exposing 354 million people to air pollution that caused more than 82,000 premature deaths. There is no safety in a fossil-fuelled world.”

Youth leader Gustavo Henrique Nicoletti Dalle Cort of IFMSA warned that the warming planet will shape the entire careers of future doctors: “Transitioning away from fossil fuels is the only way to ensure we can keep our patients healthy.”

ICN representative Gillian Adynski added that continuing fossil-fuel expansion could push health systems beyond their limits: “If fossil fuel growth continues, our systems will not cope.”

Health leaders urged governments at COP30 to deliver four outcomes. First one is a science-based roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, second is a fast and fair transition for affected workers and communities, third is health evidence included in all climate decisions and last is stronger and climate resilient health systems.