Brazil presents health funding framework at COP31 climate conference

The Brazilian Ministry of Health presented the Financing Framework for the Belém Health Action Plan at the 31st United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP31) in Turkey.

Developed with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the document guides countries on identifying resources to adapt health systems to climate change. The ministry says the framework links specific actions to appropriate funding sources, such as public budgets, donations, and concessional credit.

The ministry estimates that developing countries need approximately US$ 23 billion per year until 2035 to build climate-resilient health systems. Current international public funding for health adaptation reached about US$ 2.2 billion in 2024. The ministry notes that 67% of these international commitments come from bilateral donors as donations, while 30% come from development banks primarily as loans.

During the conference, Health Minister Alexandre Padilha highlighted AdaptaSUS, a national plan with 27 goals and 93 actions to adapt the Brazilian health system. Brazil is currently implementing eight Health and Climate Information Centers (CISCs) to integrate environmental and epidemiological data. The ministry also reported expanding the National SUS Force, with five bases currently operating and four more planned to open by the end of the year.

The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom, urged world leaders to prioritize climate-resilient health systems during the conference in Antalya. These systems include hospitals and clinics capable of operating during extreme heat, floods, and storms while maintaining reliable water, electricity, and supply chains. The Climate and Health Funders Coalition announced an additional US$ 150 million during the conference to support programs against extreme heat, air pollution, and climate-linked infectious diseases.