As the world emerges from COVID-19, another global crisis with health implications that could dwarf those of the pandemic tightens its grip. Indeed, climate change, according to the World Health Organization, is the biggest health threat facing humanity. This session at the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) fourth Southeast Asia Development Symposium (SEADS) explored the health impacts of the climate crisis on the region.

It also examined how the health sector, which is a major greenhouse gas emitter, could decarbonize.

With the theme, "Imagining a Net-Zero ASEAN," SEADS 2023 explored measures governments, communities, and the private sector could take to progress toward carbon neutrality.

Speakers

• Scene Setter: Josh Karliner, Director, Global Partnerships, Health Care Without Harm
• Response Presentation: John Thwaites, Chair, Monash Sustainable Development Institute and Climateworks Centre
• Eugenie Kayak, Enterprise Professor in Sustainable Healthcare, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne
• K. Srinath Reddy, Honorary Distinguished Professor, Public Health Foundation of India
• Closing Remarks: Ayako Inagaki, Director, Human and Social Development Division, Southeast Asia Department, ADB
• Moderator: Patrick Osewe, Chief of Health Sector, ADB