CFPs: Ideas Lab – Fifth Global Conference on Health and Climate

A central output of the Conference will be the launch and consolidation of the Belém Health Action Plan, a strategic framework for climate-resilient and equitable health systems. The Ideas Lab will support this by offering an open and participatory platform for showcasing innovative solutions, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, and generating practical, people-centered contributions.

Objectives

• The Ideas Lab aims to create an interactive platform for sharing, discussing, and advancing innovative practices, research, and policy ideas that contribute to achieving climate-resilient and equitable health systems.
• Specifically, the Ideas Lab will:
  • Promote solutions-driven, optimistic, and evidence-informed discussions;
  • Highlight concrete innovations and inspiring stories that demonstrate health benefits from climate action;
  • Feature visual and personal case studies, including quotes from individuals directly involved;
  • Encourage cross-sectoral dialogue among governments, civil society, academia, youth, Indigenous, quilombola and traditional community leaders, health professionals, multilateral institutions, and the private sector;
  • Provide actionable inputs to support the implementation of the Belém Health Action Plan and COP30 Health Day.

Scope

• The Ideas Lab will take place over the course of the Global Conference on Health and Climate (July 29–31, 2025) in Brasília, Brazil. Each Ideas Lab session should bring forward concrete and innovative experiences, tools, and approaches that support climate adaptation for better health outcomes.
• Besides the lines of action proposed in the plan, Health Surveillance and Monitoring, Evidence-Based Policy Strategy and Capacity Building, and Innovation and Production, suggested themes could include:
  • Low-carbon and climate-resilient health systems
  • Preservation of forests and their health co-benefits
  • Intergenerational equity and youth leadership
  • One Health: climate, biodiversity, pandemics, nutrition, and health
  • Sustainable and climate-smart food systems
  • Gender-responsive adaptation
  • Clean air initiatives

Priorities

• The selection will prioritize:
  • Innovation and impact
  • Regional and stakeholder diversity
  • Alignment with the Belém Health Action Plan

Expected Outcomes

• The Ideas Lab will produce:
  • A summary report synthesizing discussions, lessons, and innovations across all sessions
  • Actionable recommendations to inform COP30 and future national or global strategies
  • Content that can feed into future funding calls, technical collaborations, and visibility efforts

Selection Criteria

• The selection of Ideas Lab sessions will be guided by the following criteria:
  • Practical Relevance and Potential for Impact: Proposals should be grounded in real-world experiences or practices—ongoing or completed—and demonstrate potential to generate meaningful change in the climate-health nexus.
  • Regional and Institutional Diversity: Efforts will be made to ensure geographic balance and representation of diverse institutional actors—including voices from low- and middle-income countries, subnational governments, and underrepresented regions.
  • Innovation and Transformative Potential: Sessions should introduce forward looking solutions, emerging approaches, or replicable models that can support health system adaptation to climate change.
  • Equity and Inclusion: Proposals that reflect gender equity, youth participation, Indigenous and traditional knowledge, or other forms of community leadership will be highly valued.
  • Potential Contribution to COP30: Presentations that can directly inform the development of the health discussions for COP30 or generate insights for the implementation of the Belém Health Action Plan will receive particular attention.

For more information, visit World Health Organization.