An Overview of MSF's Approach to Climate, Environment, and Health

MSF has been increasingly taking climate into account in its work, recognising the growing health impacts of climate change on the people we assist. Key early milestones included the 2017 Geneva workshop, contributions to the Lancet Countdown, and the 2018 Elephant in MSF’s Operational Space paper, which called for a strategic response. It led to recommendations such as forming a Climate & Health Working Group, improving research and data sharing, advocating for climate-conscious policies, and reducing MSF’s environmental footprint. These actions laid the foundation for the 2020 Environmental Pact, which commits MSF to minimize our environmental footprint, adapt our responses, collaborate with communities, develop partnerships, bear witness of climate change impacts, and hold ourselves accountable.

Over the years, several initiatives have been developed to support the Environmental Pact commitments. These include the Climate-Smart TIC project—now partly integrated into the International Office—which was created to lead efforts on reducing MSF’s environmental footprint, and the MSF-Canada Humanitarian Action on Climate and Environment (HACE) initiative, which focuses on climate and environmental adaptation through tools, training, research, and a community of practice. CEH focal points across operational directorates help integrate climate concerns into strategy and operations, while expanded roles in environmental, public, and planetary health support this work. Additionally, the Climate Adaptation Community of Practice (CACoP) meets monthly to discuss adaptation efforts and pursue work in a collaborative way.