Pharmaceutical industry supports COP28 health stance in joint statement

As COP28 takes place over this week in Dubai, UAE, several bodies in the pharmaceutical and health industries have come together to announce support of key movements in sustainability in the sector, and to recognise sustainability as a health issue. 

With this in mind H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, President for COP28 UAE is hoping that they can use COP28 to take stock of the current plans in place and to refocus efforts around the climate agenda to stay on track. 

A number of declarations have been made at COP28, with support from countries all over the world. Particularly encouraging to see is the COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health, which has accumulated endorsements from 132 countries, one of the most championed declarations from the congress.

The declaration states that: ‘Climate change is the greatest threat to human lives, health, livelihoods, and well-being in the 21st century and amplifies peace and security issues.’ This echoes what many in the health industry have been saying for years, finally on a global stage. 

As a part of highlighting particular issues at the congress in Dubai they have been holding thematic days, with sessions covering important issues within a certain trope. Pertinent to health was Day 3, the 3rd December, which was denoted the Health, Relief, Recovery & Peace Day. This was the first ever day dedicated to health in relation to climate action, demonstrating the importance the congress are putting into addressing the needs of the planet and it’s people. 

On 3rd December ABPI, EFPIA, Farmindustria, IFPMA, IMC, JPMA, Leem, PhRMA, and vfa released a joint statement commending the impetus COP28 has put on health this year, especially through the first declaration on Climate and Health. 

Pharmaceutical companies and bodies have been taking serious measures to act against climate change, setting ambitious Net Zero targets across the board and pushing for greater transparency and collaboration across the whole value chain. The statement from these bodies emphasises the cross industry collaboration and how important it is for this sentiment to be voiced on global platforms. 

See the full statement here.