About CHAC

The inaugural Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC 2024) is a crucial and timely event that signifies Africa’s entry into the global dialogue on the intersection of climate change and health. The conference aims to address the urgent need to tackle the detrimental health impacts of climate change on health and wellbeing in Africa, where the burden of climate-sensitive diseases is disproportionately high, and adaptive capacities are limited. More specifically, CHAC 2024 will incorporate cutting-edge research evidence into understanding climate-health mechanisms, the health impacts, effective adaptation and mitigation intervention strategies, equitable climate research, and discuss how to effectively translate research into policy.

CHAC 2024 serves as a platform for sharing innovations, best practices, and solutions that enhance climate resilience in health. It will guide Africa in redefining its approach to health within the context of climate change, fostering a stronger presence on the global stage. The conference’s outcomes will include scientific publications, a comprehensive African Health and Climate Declaration, action plan blueprints for implementation, and the announcement of new partnerships and funding commitments.

In addition, there will be a meeting for The Climate and Health Africa Network for Collaboration and Engagement (CHANCE). CHANCE brings together researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders involved in the intersection of climate change and health in Africa. Its objective is to promote networking, research, learning, policy development, and financing related to climate change and health in Africa. CHANCE facilitates stakeholder interactions, knowledge exchange, information sharing, collaboration on climate and health research, dissemination of best practices through case studies (including mitigation and adaptation measures), advocacy coordination, evidence-based policy development for Africa, and provision of technical assistance to enhance access to climate financing.

The conference is hosted by CeSHHAR Zimbabwe in collaboration with the Zimbabwean Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife and the Ministry of Health and Childcare.