Emerging from COVID-19: Lessons for Action on Climate Change and Health in Cities
James Milner, Michael Davies, Andy Haines, Rachel Huxley, Susan Michie, Lawrie Robertson, José Siri, Paul Wilkinson
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has required health protection responses with far-reaching consequences for society, livelihoods, and the wider economy. Future enquiries will in time evaluate the success of responses at all scales. But emerging lessons highlight immediate implications for addressing the growing climate crisis through a recovery from COVID-19 that advances population health, economic regeneration and climate action. \n \nCities are where many of the most critical actions for health, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction, resilience and risk reduction must be taken, supported by national governments, multi-lateral agencies and other stakeholders. Rapid decarbonisation across all sectors of society is needed over this decade—further delay will seriously reduce the possibility of achieving the targets set out in the Paris Agreement. Now is therefore an especially important juncture for cities to act for both the near-term imperatives of the post-COVID recovery and the long-term welfare of their residents and the planet.