The role of health co-benefits in the development of Australian climate change mitigation policies
Reducing domestic carbon dioxide and other emissions can lead to short-term, localised health benefits. Quantifying and incorporating these health co-benefits into the development of national emissions reduction (mitigation) policies may facilitate the adoption of stronger climate change mitigation policies. So what is the current role of health co-benefits in the development of Australian climate change mitigation policies?
Outlining key findings from a recently developed case study, this presentation will discuss perceived barriers for the consideration of health as well as potential opportunities for increasing the role of health in the development of Australian mitigation policies.
Background
Annabelle Workman completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne in 2008, majoring in Politics and Chinese. In her Honours year, she investigated China's environmental policies in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics. After completing her studies, Annabelle worked at the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for five years in clinical practice guidelines and research translation. While at NHMRC, Annabelle commenced a Postgraduate Diploma in Environments (Public Health), which she completed in 2014. Over the past decade, she has lived on campus at Queen’s College, mentoring and tutoring both undergraduate and graduate students. During her PhD candidature, Annabelle guest lectured in several Masters subjects. She completed her PhD in August 2019 and is eager to pursue opportunities to develop climate change policies that account for health impacts and co-benefits.
PhD Project: The role of health co-benefits in the development of climate change mitigation policies in Australia, the European Union, China and the United States
The vast majority of governments are yet to commit to climate action commensurate with the severity of predicted health and other impacts. Health co-benefits – the ancillary benefits to health that result from the implementation of mitigation policies - can provide a strong rationale for ambitious action, yet research investigating their influence on policy is limited. Annabelle developed case studies for Australia and the European Union and analysed Chinese and American documents to examine the role of health co-benefits in the development of climate change mitigation policies. In doing so, she identified barriers as well as opportunities to enhance their political traction.
Department/School/Faculty/Other affiliations: School of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science
Supervisors:
1. David Karoly (50%)
2. John Wiseman (25%)
3. Grant Blashki (25%)
4. Kathryn Bowen (external supervisor)
Publications:
Workman, A., Blashki, G., Karoly, D., Wiseman, J. (2016), The Role of Health Co-Benefits in the Development of Australian Climate Change Mitigation Policies, Int J Environ Res Public Health, 13(9): 927. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13090927
Workman, A., Blashki, G., Bowen, K.J., Karoly, D.J., Wiseman, J. (2018), The political economy of health co-benefits: Embedding health in the climate change agenda. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 15(4): 674. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15040674
Workman, A., Blashki, G., Bowen, K.J., Karoly, D.J., Wiseman, J. (2018), Health Co-Benefits and the Development of Climate Change Mitigation Policies in the European Union, Climate Policy, Nov 14; 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2018.1544541