The 2023 Report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change

This report from The Lancet presents the latest data on health and climate change, reporting on 47 indicators spanning five major areas: health hazards, exposures, and impacts; adaptation, planning, and resilience; mitigation actions and health co-benefits; economics and finance; and public and political engagement. This year's report focuses specifically on the health impacts of a rapidly changing climate– highlighting that 2023 saw the highest global temperatures in over 100,000 years. The 2023 report outlines the damaging effects of climate change on natural and human systems, such as water security, food production, and sanitation, and the threats this poses to the health of populations worldwide. The authors find that more frequent heatwaves, droughts, and other climate events will continue to put millions of people at risk of food insecurity and the spread of infectious diseases. The report also warns about the growing economic losses and strain on health systems caused by the health issues spurred by climate change. The report calls for health-centered climate action and policies, with a shift away from fossil fuels to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change and protect the health and well-being of populations in the future. 

This report is a publication of the Lancet Countdown, an independent, international collaboration spanning 52 academic and UN institutions to monitor and track climate change and its emerging health consequences worldwide. The collaboration draws on the expertise of climate scientists, economists, social and political scientists, experts in energy and transportation, and public health professionals. The 2023 edition is accompanied by an executive summary, policy briefs, a data interactive, and country data sheets, which explore the latest climate and health data for selected countries. Users can also explore key findings from the report.