NIHR announces package of funding for research on climate and health at COP26
The NIHR will launch new sustainability-themed package of funding for research into climate and health
17 December 2021
The NIHR will launch new sustainability-themed package of funding for research into climate and health, NIHR Chief Executive Professor Lucy Chappell has announced at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).
Professor Chappell said: “It's essential that we commit to research that addresses the need for adaptation and resilience of health systems, designed and undertaken in partnership with the communities most affected. Science and technology will underpin these next steps.
“As Chief Executive of the NIHR, I'm really pleased that we're already funding research to help the UK health and care system work towards net zero which will lead to improved health outcomes. But we can always do more.
“The NIHR will intensify its work in this important area to improve public health and respond to global health challenges and changing patterns of disease, including climate change, and support the delivery of a low carbon UK health and care system.”
Addressing the global challenge
Recognising the global nature of the climate challenge, the new funding package includes a £20 million funding call specifically to develop new evidence to improve the health outcomes of people most impacted by climate change and extreme weather events in low and middle income countries through adaptation and development of health service provision. This call will align with the priorities identified by the Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA)’s global health needs assessment on climate-resilient health systems.
Supporting a low carbon UK health and care system
As part of the package announced at COP26, NIHR has also launched a new call for research to support the delivery of a net zero health and social care system. The net zero funding call, by the Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) programme, is seeking research to evaluate existing or new initiatives to reduce carbon emissions in care pathways and health and social care services, including their implementation or service redesign models. The call opened on 09 November 2021.
Further parts of the sustainability-themed call will seek research into the evaluation of interventions or services to support the delivery of a more sustainable UK health and care system, including mitigating the effects of climate change on health and care delivery. The themed call will open in early 2022.