Health in the green economy

This presentation covers a critical review of evidence, developed by the WHO,  on how greener, low-energy policies guiding development of housing, transport, agriculture, energy and health care facilities can generate very significant health co-benefits in terms of both  infectious and non-communicable disease prevention, and reduce health inequity. It will also provide examples of green policies that should be given less priority, in view of their limited gains for health and health equity. The analytical framework, tools and approaches used in the WHO assessments will be discussed.   These range from identifying and informing on the health performance of development decisions, to integrating health costs and benefits into economic analysis, to assessing expected health impacts before decisions in different sectors of the economy are made, so as to improve health and health equity.  These approaches have the potential to bring transparency and accountability to public and private decision making, by clarifying how development and investment alternatives in key economic sectors may impact on health. In light of the growing costs of both health care and climate change, and of the rapid changes in the economy and working environment, it is critical that "healthy and green" synergies be recognized, assessed and systematically harnessed in a new paradigm for health and development. Overall the session will highlight significant opportunities for promoting health through more sustainable development  and climate change mitigation policies, reflecting on the crucial role that workers, employers and governments have in supporting a transition towards a healthier and greener economy.