The 10th indicator report of the Lancet Countdown finds that health impacts are escalating faster than climate action with experts calling for climate change to be declared a global health emergency.
While progress has been made to deliver real health gains through clean energy investment, health system leadership and health-protecting legislation, these positive signs are not enough to offset the harm from the impacts of fossil-fuel driven climate change.
The report represents the work of 146 experts from 71 collaborating institutions, monitoring progress across 54 indicators, including four new indicators introduced this year, providing the most comprehensive assessment yet of the links between climate change and health.
Published Nov 7, 2026
Romanello M, Walawender M, Israelsson J et al. The 2026 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: a decade of escalating health harms and a decisive moment for all The Lancet, 2026; 408, 1979-2032