New York - The Johns Hopkins University Institute for Planetary Health (JHIPH) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to establish a Collaborating Centre on Planetary Health.
Global environmental change, including the triple planetary crises of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, poses an urgent threat to human security and humanity at large. It also drives health inequities, with the most drastic impacts felt in low- and middle-income countries. Planetary health is a solutions-oriented, transdisciplinary field and movement that aims to safeguard a livable future for humanity and the rest of life on Earth by protecting and regenerating Earth's natural life support systems.
Through this Collaborating Centre, the Johns Hopkins University Institute for Planetary Health and its partner network, the Planetary Health Alliance, active in over 80 countries, will connect cutting-edge research and advocacy with the work of UNDP's network of country offices around the world to grow this innovative work. The partnership will focus on leveraging Planetary Health insights and expertise to advance sustainable development, including health and well-being, democratic governance, and climate and disaster resilience.
Through combining the latest research and science with grassroots outreach and tactical advocacy - including around the Sustainable Development Goals acceleration, the UN Secretary-General's Common Agenda, Summit of the Future and the post-2030 Agenda - the initiative will connect and amplify Planetary Health approaches to deliver for the health of people and planet.
In 170 countries and territories, UNDP works with countries and communities to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience for sustainable development. The Collaborating Centre builds on UNDP's long-standing engagement in Planetary Health. A healthy planet is one of the priorities in UNDP's current Strategic Plan, and UNDP's climate, environment and health portfolios all contribute to advancing the health of people and planet.
"UNDP is delighted to be part of an important community to advance our understanding of how human and planetary health are evolving" Achim Steiner said. "It is critical that Planetary Health research and practice is driven by and reaches those most affected by climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and health inequities, so that communities and governments have the tools they need to create better futures for everyone, everywhere."
The Planetary Health Alliance is a growing consortium of universities, non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and government entities from 80+ countries around the world committed to understanding and addressing the impacts of global environmental change on human health and well-being. PHA also supports a network of regional hubs to galvanize local action and a cohort of Planetary Health Campus Ambassadors to lift the voices of youth leaders.
"Our evolving partnership with UNDP offers an extraordinary opportunity to expand the Alliance's work and that of our members to drive local to global action," Sam Myers, the Planetary Health Alliance's Founding Director, said. "Our health depends on a stable Earth system, and together we will foster opportunities to improve human health by protecting and regenerating the natural life support systems we all depend upon." The Centre will also provide an opportunity to develop connections between UNDP's regional and country offices and Planetary Health Regional Hubs. "We are excited to build upon the growing momentum to implement local Planetary Health solutions," Mary Ashinyo, Planetary Health West Africa Regional Hub Lead, said.
