Health and Climate Change at the Origin of Pandemics
- Paulo Cesar Fernandes
- Sep 20, 2024
- 3 min read
The concept of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) has become one of the fundamental pillars of corporate strategy, especially when we talk about climate change and global health. The “planet and health” binomial is a crucial intersection within this context, connecting environmental management to human health, with impacts that go beyond corporate borders, directly affecting global communities and economies.
Climate Change and Global Health
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes that climate change is among the greatest threats to global health in the 21st century. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events exacerbate pre-existing diseases and introduce new challenges, such as pandemics and public health crises. Companies with a robust ESG approach are mindful of these risks, incorporating sustainable and climate mitigation practices not only as an ethical duty, but as an essential part of governance and risk management.
The Pandemic as a Warning
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of our global healthcare system while also reinforcing the urgency of ESG discussions. Many CEOs now realize that investing in environmental and social resilience is a hedge against future global shocks, whether caused by climate change or new pandemics. This has been reflected in numerous surveys conducted by leading companies around the world.
ESG and Corporate Governance
On the governance agenda, CEOs of companies of all sizes are increasingly recognizing that climate change, diversity and inclusion are interconnected and urgent issues. Recent research indicates that these factors are considered essential for the long-term sustainability of companies, after all, they are linked to the longevity of the planet. In addition, integrating these concerns into business strategy can improve corporate image, attract investment and increase employee engagement.
Diversity, Inclusion and Health
ESG isn’t just about the environment — the “S” (social) also encompasses issues of inclusion, equity, and well-being. Diversity in the workplace contributes to a more holistic approach to global challenges, especially when it comes to public health. Companies that integrate inclusion and equity into their organizational culture are able to create more innovative and resilient solutions to address crises, whether health or climate.
Governance and Climate Action in Companies
For these concepts to be effectively implemented, it is crucial that corporate governance includes clear metrics on carbon emissions, social inclusion actions and commitments to public health. CEOs who put these issues at the center of their corporate strategies are not only responding to pressure from investors, but are preparing for a more sustainable and secure future.
Conclusion: The Urgency of ESG in the Current Scenario
The convergence between ESG, climate change, global health and pandemics is clear and undeniable. Companies that prioritize governance focused on these issues are better prepared to face an increasingly volatile world. CEOs must lead this change, recognizing that caring for the planet is, ultimately, caring for the health of all of us and that in many areas, it means caring for the business.
Latin America plays a crucial role in the Global Health agenda of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) due to its geographic, socioeconomic and cultural diversity, which presents unique challenges and opportunities for global health. The region has faced issues of inequality in access to health services, infectious diseases such as dengue and Zika virus, as well as chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, which reflect global public health problems. We all need to pay more attention to this issue. It is significant to note that there is a major global alert for the emergence of diseases that are not yet on the radar of developers. In this context, local and cost-effective solutions for clinical development will become even more important over time.
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