Planetary Health
The Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission on Planetary Health recognizes that human health and the
health of our planet are inextricably linked, and that our civilization depends on human health,
flourishing natural systems, and the wise stewardship of natural resources. With natural systems being
degraded to an extent unprecedented in human history, both our health and that of our planet are in peril.
With this in mind, The Rockefeller Foundation and UNFCCC secretariat launched a new, three-year project
that will shine a light on solutions to balance the need for both human health and a healthy planet
starting in 2017.
Momentum for Change: Planetary Health
Momentum for
Change: Planetary Health will recognize and showcase novel solutions by communities, cities, companies,
NGOs and other institutions that balance the need for healthy communities with stewardship of natural
ecosystems.
The Paris Climate Change Agreement explicitly links climate action with a healthier environment –
from cleaner air and reduced risks of extreme heatwaves to keeping in check the spread of diseases.
One well-known impact of human behavior is the changing climate, which is altering the pattern of diseases,
mortality, human settlements, food, water, and sanitation. Climate change brings increasing temperatures,
rising seas, and more frequent incidence of severe storms. Known human impacts include flooding that can
increase risks of water-related illnesses as well as vector-borne illnesses; an impact on food production
– both in terms of increased drought cycles and diminished micronutrients in staple crops; and the
pollutants that are tied to carbon emissions (and climate change) are also detrimental to human health.
Today, there is greater mortality globally due to air pollution than because of HIV, malaria, and
tuberculosis combined.
Planetary health is a new field, and one that needs ideas and solutions that span multiple sectors and
disciplines to guide the creative stewardship of our planet to protect our own health. Momentum for Change:
Planetary Health will show how communities are creating new ways use the planet’s resources wisely to
protect their health – ways that can serve as a model for others. To achieve climate neutrality, we
must measure what we emit and then reduce those emissions. Even with our best efforts to reduce, daily
activities and business operations will result in unavoidable emissions. This is why offsetting, only after
measuring and reducing, is key for climate neutrality.
Climate neutrality is a three step process, which requires individuals, companies and governments to:
1. Measure their climate footprint;
2. Reduce their emissions as much as possible;
3. Offset what they cannot reduce with UN certified emission reductions.
Over time the need for offsets is going to decline as energy systems become ever more low carbon, healthy
ecosystems like forests expand and we arrive at a climate neutral world in the second half of the century.
Climate change will affect everyone, yet everyone can effect positive change starting today and beginning
now.
Recognizing innovative financing mechanisms
Momentum for Change: Planetary Health "Lighthouse Activities" that demonstrate concrete results
to address climate change. All Planetary Health Activities are:
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 Restoring Peatlands in Russia
This project is spearheading the restoration of peatlands in Russia, and reducing the incidence
of fires and the resulting CO2 emissions and smoke particulates.
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 Cleaning our Oceans of
Plastic
People in Haiti bring recycled plastic to one of 20 recycling markets, where it is exchanged for
cash or critical essentials, such as a child’s school tuition.
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 Reclaiming Global Waterways and
Beaches
TerraCycle and Procter & Gamble have partnered to manufacture the world’s first
recyclable shampoo bottle made from “beach plastic” waste for the shampoo brand Head
& Shoulders.
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 Sustainable Energy for Safe
Childbirth
We Care Solar saves lives in childbirth by bringing solar power to remote,
off-grid, and under-resourced medical centers. This initiative saves lives, as health workers no
longer struggle to provide life-saving care with inadequate and dangerous lighting, such as
kerosene lanterns, candles, and diesel fuel generators.
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These lighthouse activities were selected by the Momentum for Change Advisory Panel after receiving dozens
of applications from around the world. All eligible activities are part of an
activity database which provides a broader range of
the types of innovative financing mechanisms to address climate change.
