On November 5, the 2024 Report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change was released in Beijing. Professor Cai Wenjia from the Department of Earth System Science (DESS) of Tsinghua University delivered a detailed interpretation of the 2024 Global Report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change and the 2024 China Report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change (hereinafter "China Report"). Professor Wang Hongwei, Vice President of Tsinghua University, Professor Gong Peng, Co-chair of Lancet Countdown and Vice-President of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), Mr. Martin Taylor, Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in China, Deputy Director Li Xiaocui of the Department of Health and Immunization Planning of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Ms. Helena Wang, Senior Executive Editor for The Lancet in Asia,, and Professor Zheng Zhijie, Chief Representative of the Beijing Office of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, attended and addressed the event. The event was hosted by Professor Luo Yong, Dean of Tsinghua University DESS and Co-chair of the Lancet Countdown Asia Center.

Guests addressing the event, respectively Wang Hongwei, Gong Peng, Wang Hongwei, Martin Tyler, Li Xiaocui, Helena Wang and Zheng Zhijie from left to right, from top to bottom.

Wang Hongwei noted in his speech that the China Report, as a successful practice of Tsinghua University DESS in developing cross-disciplinary platforms, demonstrates Tsinghua University's innovative ability and international responsibility in the field of Earth system science research, offering China's perspective and plan for mitigating global climate change and health problems. Gong Peng affirmed the value of the China Report, calling it a successful practice of inter-departmental, inter-institutional and inter-university cooperation. Martin Tyler believed that the China Report clearly reflects the recent progress of various Chinese provinces in coping with climate change, and provides strong data support for the provinces in responding to climate change. Li Xiaocui fully affirmed the important role of the China Report in the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration's comprehensive efforts to address the health risks associated with climate change. Helena Wang highly praised the academic achievements attained by the Tsinghua DESS and the Lancet Countdown Asia Center, expressing her hope for continued collaboration with Chinese scientists in the future. Zheng Zhijie emphasized that the China Report offers invaluable scientific backing for the creation of a healthy and productive global environment.

Luo Yong (left) presides over the launch event, and Cai Wenjia (right) delivers a report.

The China Report, authored by the Lancet Countdown Asia Center within the Department of Earth System Science at Tsinghua University, was a collaborative effort involving 77 experts from 28 domestic and international institutions. By systematically tracking the health risks posed by climate change across various provinces, the report introduces additional indicators, including compound exposure, carbon emissions from the medical system, and future projections for certain indicators. The report underscores that climate change stands as a prominent health risk in China, necessitating equal emphasis on both mitigation and adaptation strategies. It urges immediate action to bolster capital investment, actively foster coordinated pollution and carbon reduction initiatives, enhance cross-sectoral collaboration, and refine health meteorological services. Notably, since the inaugural launch of the China Report in 2020, China has methodically "built up from scratch," establishing a response framework anchored in the National Action Plan for Climate Change Health Adaptation (2024-2030) and the "1+N" policy matrix for carbon neutrality and carbon peaking. Various cities have also accumulated pioneering practical experiences, paving the way for China to embark on a new chapter of low-carbon health after COP28.

Chen Deliang, Sun Jian politician and Huang Jianping (from left to right) deliver speeches respectively.

During the summit forum, Professor Chen Deliang, a foreign fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sun Jian, Executive Vice President of the China Meteorological Service Association, and Huang Jianping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered keynote addresses focusing on the theme of "Climate Change and Health." Furthermore, the event featured a round-table discussion titled "Advancing the Integrated Innovation of Industry, Academia, and Research to Jointly Address the Climate Health Crisis."

In his closing remarks, Professor Luo Yong emphasized that the Department of Earth System Science at Tsinghua University will, as always, be committed to establishing a multidisciplinary platform dedicated to climate and health. Serving as a vital bridge connecting decision-makers, the media, the public, and industry, the department will persist in delivering high-quality academic research, offering decision support, fostering public science awareness alongside partner institutions, and working together to pave the way for a healthy and sustainable future.

Group photo of participants

Contributed by The Lancet Countdown Asia Center

Edited by Wang Jiayin

Reviewed by Geng Rui