Vulnerable communities impacted by climate change

Climate related disasters have doubled in last 20 years, with low- and middle-income (LMIC) groups bearing disproportionate burdens of mortality. India is amongst the top five countries to have reported natural disasters during this period and is also one of the most vulnerable locations in terms of projected impact from climate change.

Effects on health are varied due to increasing temperatures and heatwaves, water scarcity, excessive or unnatural rainfall, flooding, drought and increased air pollution leading to worsening quality of breathable air. Under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH), India has committed to green and climate resilient healthcare and aims to reach net zero carbon by 2070 through its COP26 commitment.  

This research project will address the need for India to identify such effects of climate change on vulnerable communities and its impact on respiratory health, livelihoods as well as social, economic and physical effects due to climate change. This will lead to developing strategies through community engagement to create communication modules in raising awareness to such effects and mitigating climate change effects on health and wellbeing.

Objectives