WFPHA said GCHA’s global network has helped put health at the centre of climate policy, linking science, advocacy and action for climate-resilient health systems.
The Global Climate and Health Alliance has received an award from the World Federation of Public Health Associations for mobilising the global health community around climate change as an urgent public health challenge.
The award was presented in Cape Town, South Africa, on 7 September 2026 during the 18th World Congress on Public Health, where WFPHA honoured GCHA for “helping shape a healthier, more equitable and resilient world”.
GCHA was one of seven organisations and public health leaders recognised by WFPHA. The federation said GCHA “receives the Climate and Health Action Award for its leadership in mobilizing the global health community around climate change as an urgent public health challenge”.
According to WFPHA, “since 2011, GCHA has developed a global network of more than 200 health and development organizations, representing millions of health professionals and workers. Its work has helped place health at the center of international climate policy by connecting scientific evidence, professional advocacy, and global policy engagement.”
The federation said GCHA’s contributions include efforts supporting the 2024 World Health Assembly Resolution on climate change and health and the subsequent WHO Global Action Plan.
“As co-chair of the WHO–Civil Society Working Group on Climate and Health, GCHA continues to advocate for health-centered climate policies and climate-resilient health systems,” WFPHA said.
“GCHA’s work highlights a growing reality for public health: climate action is health action, and climate justice is inseparable from health equity,” it added.
Dr Jeni Miller, executive director of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, said the organisation was delighted to receive the honour.
“The Global Climate and Health Alliance is delighted to receive this honour from the World Federation of Public Health Associations and offers our congratulations to the other awardees,” Miller said.
“In truth, there is no single individual or organisation working alone; in our case, the Global Climate and Health Alliance brings together more than 250 health professional and health civil society organisations and networks to take action to protect human health from climate change and the impacts of the extraction and burning of fossil fuels. We are proud to strive alongside many committed individuals and organisations, working to make the earth a safe and healthier place for everyone.”
Accepting the award, Miller said GCHA’s impact came through collective action by health organisations and professionals around the world.
“Any impact that the Global and Climate and Health Alliance has had is because of the many health organisations and professionals around the world who have recognised the threat climate change poses to health and who have come with us on this journey and have come together to have a joint voice to make an impact on the policies that matter,” she said.
“I want to express how meaningful it is to accept this award from the World Federation of Public Health Associations. I joined the American Public Health Association when I started my career. I found a home there because in public health, people understand the social determinants of health, environmental determinants of health, and so understanding that climate change is a health crisis and is a health issue comes very naturally to the public health field,” Miller said.
