The climate crisis is also a major health crisis, but six proven measures could help prevent 1.6 million deaths every year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).A new WHO report, released ahead of COP31, highlights six climate and health interventions that could save lives while delivering trillions of dollars in economic and fiscal benefits.“The climate crisis is a health crisis, but much of the harm it causes can be prevented with tools we already have,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.“This report shows that scaling up proven, affordable actions could save millions of lives, with the greatest gains in the countries that need them most. As governments prepare for the next round of climate negotiations, protecting health must be at the centre of climate action,” he added.What Are The 6 Measures That Could Save 1.6 Million Lives?Also read: Big Lancet Report: Heat-Related Deaths Rise 36% Since Paris Climate Agreement, Global Warming BlamedThe report estimates that scaling up the six actions globally could prevent 1.6 million deaths annually, equivalent to one in every 40 deaths, based on modelled projections.The six measures include:Heat-health warning systemsClimate-resilient drinking-water servicesBasic sanitation servicesHygiene and handwashing facilitiesCleaner household fuels and technologies for cooking and heatingEfficient fossil fuel pricing policiesTogether, these actions could also help avoid 16.7 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to 31% of global annual greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use, land-use change and forestry.6 Climate Actions Could Deliver Trillions In Economic BenefitsRead More: Climate Change And Gut Health: How Heat, Drought And Unsafe Water Raise Risks, Global Experts Warn Heat-health warning systems were the most cost-beneficial intervention assessed, generating an estimated US$835 in benefits for every US$1 invested. However, estimates varied across different scenarios and sensitivity analyses, ranging from US$364 to US$1,272 for every US$1 invested, the WHO saidMeanwhile, efficient fossil fuel pricing policies were estimated to deliver the largest overall economic welfare benefits, at US$3,041.10 billion. Estimates across different scenarios and sensitivity analyses ranged from US$690.59 billion to US$5,342.64 billion.These policies were also projected to generate US$5,440.93 billion in fiscal benefits, with estimates ranging from US$3,442.96 billion to US$5,440.93 billion, the WHO said. The policies are also estimated to prevent 1.2 million deaths annually.COP31: Health To Be A Key FocusThe 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly known as COP31, will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20. The conference's dedicated COP31 Health Day will be held on November 9, the first day of the conference.Governments are expected to share their climate reports and discuss ways to advance climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems.