Rachel V Thomas

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Big Lancet Report: Heat-Related Deaths Rise 36% Since Paris Climate Agreement, Global Warming Blamed

Annual average heat-related deaths have increased by nearly 36% in the years following the Paris Agreement compared with the previous decade, according to the latest Lancet Countdown report.

The 2026 Lancet Countdown on Health and <span>Climate Change</span> report, released ahead of COP31, highlights how climate change is increasingly threatening health and survival worldwide, even as climate action begins to deliver measurable benefits.

The report also comes amid a strengthening El Niño event this year, which is expected to influence global temperatures and rainfall patterns in the coming months.

<h2>Climate Change's Growing Global Health Burden</h2>

The report identifies three key findings:

<ul><li>Growing health burden: Climate-related health impacts have accelerated over the past decade as greenhouse gas emissions continued to break records.</li><li>Uneven climate gains: Climate commitments since the Paris Agreement have delivered measurable health benefits, but progress remains too slow and uneven.</li><li>Urgent action needed: Climate change must be recognised as a global health emergency, with equitable, evidence-based action prioritising health and survival.</li></ul>

“Climate change is already harming health in every region of the world, and the evidence shows that many of these impacts are accelerating,” said Dr Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, Head of the Climate Change, Air Quality and Energy and Health Unit at WHO.

<strong>Also read</strong>: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/from-climate-change-to-amr-to-obesity-17-global-health-threats-by-2100-lancet-warns-article-156323460" data-type="tilCustomLink">'Humanity Can Still Act': Lancet Warns Of 17 Global Health Threats By 2100</a>

<h2>Heat-Related Deaths and Drought Rising</h2>

In 2023 alone, heat was linked to a record 710,000 deaths globally, with more than 70% of this burden attributable to human-caused climate change.

Extreme drought affected nearly 52% of the world's land for at least one month in 2025. The report also highlights increasing exposure to hydrological extremes and economic losses linked to heat exposure.

<h2>Climate Change Increasing Health Risks in India</h2>

According to the report, Half of the heatwave days Indians experienced between 2016 and 2025 were attributable to climate change.

Indians also faced more than 2,600 hours annually when temperatures posed a moderate or higher risk of heat stress during outdoor activities such as brisk walking. This was over 200 hours more than the average recorded in the 1990s.

Rising temperatures also contributed to an estimated 64 hours of sleep lost annually between 2021 and 2025, approximately three hours more each year than during 1986–2005.

Climate change is also increasing the climatic suitability for dengue and malaria transmission in India.

<strong>Read More</strong>: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/climate-change-and-gut-health-how-heat-drought-and-unsafe-water-raise-risks-global-experts-warn-article-156382017" data-type="tilCustomLink">Climate Change And Gut Health: How Heat, Drought And Unsafe Water Raise Risks, Global Experts Warn</a>

<h2>Clean Energy Investments Offer Hope</h2>

The report notes progress in climate-resilient health systems, including greater adoption of national health adaptation plans and climate-informed early warning systems.

Global investment in clean energy reached a record US$2.1 trillion in 2025. Countries that have reduced fossil fuel-related air pollution are also estimated to be preventing thousands of premature deaths each year.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Lancet Countdown Calls</span> for Climate Emergency Recognition</h2>

The 2026 report brings together 146 researchers from more than 100 institutions across over 30 countries. The authors call for climate change to be formally recognised as a global health emergency, with health considerations integrated into climate mitigation, adaptation and financing decisions.

Priorities include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing adaptation funding and strengthening health systems.

"Climate action is a health intervention. Cleaner energy, stronger health systems and early warning systems are saving lives today,” Campbell-Lendrum said.

<h2>El Niño Could Further Intensify Health Risks</h2>

The <span>World Meteorological Organization</span> (WMO) has forecast above-average temperatures across large parts of the world in 2026, with the strengthening El Niño expected to alter rainfall patterns and increase the risk of drought in some regions and floods in others.

For October-November-December, the seasonal average Niño 3.4 sea surface temperature anomaly is forecast to reach approximately +3.7°C, peaking around December. This is the highest since observations began and is stronger than the previous record of + 2.6 °C in November 2015-January 2016. 

These conditions could further intensify heat exposure, disrupt water and food supplies and increase the risk of climate-sensitive diseases, including dengue and malaria, the WMO said, adding that forecasts indicate a near-100 per cent likelihood that it will persist through February 2027.

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Annual average heat-related deaths have increased by nearly 36% in the years following the Paris Agreement compared with the previous decade, according to the latest Lancet Countdown report.The 2026 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change report, released ahead of COP31, highlights how climate change is increasingly threatening health and survival worldwide, even as climate action begins to deliver measurable benefits.The report also comes amid a strengthening El Niño event this year, which is expected to influence global temperatures and rainfall patterns in the coming months.Climate Change's Growing Global Health BurdenThe report identifies three key findings:Growing health burden: Climate-related health impacts have accelerated over the past decade as greenhouse gas emissions continued to break records.Uneven climate gains: Climate commitments since the Paris Agreement have delivered measurable health benefits, but progress remains too slow and uneven.Urgent action needed: Climate change must be recognised as a global health emergency, with equitable, evidence-based action prioritising health and survival.“Climate change is already harming health in every region of the world, and the evidence shows that many of these impacts are accelerating,” said Dr Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, Head of the Climate Change, Air Quality and Energy and Health Unit at WHO.Also read: 'Humanity Can Still Act': Lancet Warns Of 17 Global Health Threats By 2100Heat-Related Deaths and Drought RisingIn 2023 alone, heat was linked to a record 710,000 deaths globally, with more than 70% of this burden attributable to human-caused climate change.Extreme drought affected nearly 52% of the world's land for at least one month in 2025. The report also highlights increasing exposure to hydrological extremes and economic losses linked to heat exposure.Climate Change Increasing Health Risks in IndiaAccording to the report, Half of the heatwave days Indians experienced between 2016 and 2025 were attributable to climate change.Indians also faced more than 2,600 hours annually when temperatures posed a moderate or higher risk of heat stress during outdoor activities such as brisk walking. This was over 200 hours more than the average recorded in the 1990s.Rising temperatures also contributed to an estimated 64 hours of sleep lost annually between 2021 and 2025, approximately three hours more each year than during 1986–2005.Climate change is also increasing the climatic suitability for dengue and malaria transmission in India.Read More: Climate Change And Gut Health: How Heat, Drought And Unsafe Water Raise Risks, Global Experts WarnClean Energy Investments Offer HopeThe report notes progress in climate-resilient health systems, including greater adoption of national health adaptation plans and climate-informed early warning systems.Global investment in clean energy reached a record US$2.1 trillion in 2025. Countries that have reduced fossil fuel-related air pollution are also estimated to be preventing thousands of premature deaths each year.Lancet Countdown Calls for Climate Emergency RecognitionThe 2026 report brings together 146 researchers from more than 100 institutions across over 30 countries. The authors call for climate change to be formally recognised as a global health emergency, with health considerations integrated into climate mitigation, adaptation and financing decisions.Priorities include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing adaptation funding and strengthening health systems."Climate action is a health intervention. Cleaner energy, stronger health systems and early warning systems are saving lives today,” Campbell-Lendrum said.El Niño Could Further Intensify Health RisksThe World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has forecast above-average temperatures across large parts of the world in 2026, with the strengthening El Niño expected to alter rainfall patterns and increase the risk of drought in some regions and floods in others.For October-November-December, the seasonal average Niño 3.4 sea surface temperature anomaly is forecast to reach approximately +3.7°C, peaking around December. This is the highest since observations began and is stronger than the previous record of + 2.6 °C in November 2015-January 2016. These conditions could further intensify heat exposure, disrupt water and food supplies and increase the risk of climate-sensitive diseases, including dengue and malaria, the WMO said, adding that forecasts indicate a near-100 per cent likelihood that it will persist through February 2027.

big lancet report: heat-related deaths rise 36% since paris climate agreement, global warming blamed

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