COP29: Addressing Climate, Health, and Gender Inequality for a Resilient Future

Picture a young mother in a bustling, crowded city somewhere in South Asia. She wakes up early every day, balancing the demands of her family and work while navigating an unforgiving environment. The searing heat burns her skin as she steps outside; the air she breathes feels heavy with pollution. Rain, when it comes, is either relentless or nonexistent. Yet, she soldiers on. Beneath these visible struggles lies another battle—one her body is silently fighting. She’s becoming more vulnerable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, heart conditions, obesity, or malnutrition.

Her story is not unique. She’s just one among millions of women facing the compounded effects of a changing climate, worsening health inequities, and gender-based challenges. Her health, and the well-being of her children, rests on her strength. But why should that burden fall solely on her?

This crisis isn’t confined to her city or her country. From crowded urban centers in India to rural villages in sub-Saharan Africa, from Latin America’s sprawling metropolises to Southeast Asia’s coastlines, women everywhere are bearing the brunt of these interconnected issues. It’s a crisis that demands a fresh perspective—one that links climate resilience with health equity and gender justice.

With world leaders preparing to meet at COP29, there’s a chance to finally address these overlapping challenges. It’s a moment to not just talk about solutions but to act on them.

NCDs, long regarded as individual health crises, are now glaring markers of systemic inequality, made worse by the climate crisis. According to the World Health Organisation, these diseases cause 71% of deaths globally, with women in vulnerable regions hit the hardest. But these aren’t just statistics; they reflect the lives of families, communities, and entire nations.

For women, the situation is particularly harsh. Rising temperatures, unsafe air, and food insecurity make their bodies and lives more fragile. Research shows that heatwaves, poor crop yields, and toxic urban air directly increase the risk of NCDs. In South Asia, where cities expand chaotically and climate extremes are frequent, the problem is impossible to ignore.

India, for example, has over 77 million people living with diabetes. That number is expected to nearly double by 2045. Many of these cases will affect women, who face unique vulnerabilities—both biological and societal. Yet, these women often go without the healthcare they need, even as they shoulder the emotional and physical weight of keeping their families afloat.

What’s even more alarming is how malnutrition and obesity—two conditions that seem worlds apart—are deeply linked in climate-vulnerable areas. In India, more than 60% of women of reproductive age are anemic, while obesity rates among women in cities continue to rise. Climate shocks that disrupt food systems leave many families with little choice but to eat highly processed, calorie-heavy foods. The result is a dangerous cycle of malnutrition and obesity that puts women and their children at greater risk of diseases like diabetes and heart conditions.

But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be this way.

Imagine women stepping into leadership roles in their communities as “climate-health champions.” These women could be trained to spot early signs of NCDs, teach families simple preventive measures, and act as a bridge to healthcare services. They could foster a culture of resilience—turning knowledge into power for their neighbors.

Picture cities where green spaces aren’t a luxury but a priority. These safe, shaded areas could become places where women gather to exercise, socialize, and rejuvenate. Research shows that green spaces can cool cities, clean the air, and encourage physical activity. For women stuck in urban sprawls with little access to recreation, these spaces could transform their lives.

Now imagine affordable, nutritious food made accessible to every family. Subsidizing locally grown, nutrient-rich produce could fight both malnutrition and obesity. Climate-resilient healthcare systems could provide better care during heatwaves, floods, and droughts—delivering solutions powered by renewable energy to the remotest corners.

But this vision will remain a dream unless world leaders commit to bold action. At COP29, governments must step up. Policies need to prioritize the women at the center of these challenges. Decision-makers should fund community-led solutions, design cities with health in mind, and reimagine healthcare systems to survive climate shocks.

For too long, women like that young mother have been forced to endure impossible choices—clean air or a secure income, healthy food, or saving for emergencies. It’s time to lift this burden from their shoulders.

Envision a world where she no longer has to make these trade-offs. Where her city is a sanctuary, not a threat. Where her children can breathe freely, play safely, and grow up healthy. This future is within reach, but it requires immediate, determined action.

COP29 is not just a platform for discussions—it’s a chance to rewrite the story. By addressing climate change, NCDs, and gender inequality together, we can create a world where women thrive, families prosper, and communities build resilience against future crises. For women like her, this isn’t just a fight for survival—it’s a demand for dignity, equality, and hope for a better tomorrow.

Anish Bari: Co-Founder: Obesity Innovation Lab, Mason Fellow- Harvard Kennedy School, Global Shaper Alumni: World Economic Forum

Dheeraj Batra: Co-Founder, Obesity Innovation Lab; Board Member, Johnson & Johnson GPH Innovation Advisory Board