South Africa: National climate change and health adaptation plan 2014-2019

This plan aims to provide a broad framework for health sector action toward adaptation to climate change. The specific objectives of the plan are to describe the economic, environmental and health context for the proposals contained in the White Paper; outline a broad programme of activities to be undertaken or spearheaded by the South African health sector, giving specific examples and indicate the potential partners. Timeframes and financial implications have been determined for each activity in section 7 of the document.

In addition, a core set of principles has been identified that will guide the implementation of the South African National Climate Change and Health Adaptation Plan in the health sector. These include a focus on prevention, community participation, intersectoral cooperation and collaboration, synergies between climate change adaptation and other public health initiatives, equity and evidence based planning.