Following a series of roundtables, and consultation on a draft strategy Australia’s first National Health and Climate Strategy (the Strategy) was launched on 3 December 2023 by the Hon. Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care at the 2023 United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai. The Strategy was developed in “recognition of the urgent need to address the health risks associated with climate change…”, marking a significant shift in Australia’s domestic policy on the climate and health nexus.

Throughout the consultation processes, CAHA called for a Health in All Policies (HiAP), whole of government approach, where climate and health leadership is supported throughout all Commonwealth Government policy planning and promotes work of the state and territory governments.  CAHA called for the Strategy to clearly outline how the Department of Health and Aged Care will take a whole of government approach to safe-guarding health in the face of climate change. With the support of our members and allies, CAHA recommended this approach be coupled with tangible mechanisms for implementation, including science-based targets, governance structures and funding.