Doctors for the Environment Australia has endorsed the open letter from the health community calling on the COP28 President and all national leaders to commit to an accelerated, just, and equitable phase-out of fossil fuels as the decisive path to health for all.
Key highlights of the letter include the call to end our dependence on fossil fuels to safeguard future generations and save lives, the importance of a rapid transition to clean energy for clean air, water, and a healthy environment, and the rejection of unreliable solutions like Carbon Capture and Storage in favour of renewable energy. It also underscores the need for a just energy transition that prioritises health and community well-being, ending fossil fuel subsidies, and preventing the fossil fuel industry from influencing climate negotiations. It categorically states that without ambitious climate action, healthcare systems and workers will bear insurmountable burdens, undermining prospects for a safe, fair, and just future in the face of climate change.