Role of Health Equity in the Climate Action Plans of London Boroughs: A Health Policy Report

Abstract

Background The World Health Organisation has declared climate change the biggest menace to global health in the 21^st century. The health consequences of climate change are well documented. It is also established that vulnerable groups disproportionately bear the effects of climate change. Climate inaction or inequitable climate action can worsen the prevailing health inequalities. Thus, there is an urgent need to implement effective and equitable strategies to minimise the adverse effects and maximise the co-benefits of climate action. The United Kingdom envisions becoming a net-zero carbon country by 2050. The Mayor of London declared a climate emergency in 2018 and aims to make London a carbon-neutral city by 2030. As a result, the London boroughs have published their climate action plans (CAPs) outlining their adaptation and mitigation strategies. But due to a lack of proper guidelines and framework, the plans vary considerably and how health equity is embedded into these documents is currently unknown. This project aims to explore the extent to which health issues are addressed through the CAPs of the London boroughs and if health inequities would be reduced through the greenhouse gas mitigation strategies in the transport sector.