Pacific women’s health at the centre of climate debate ahead of COP31

Leaders, researchers and advocates have called for urgent action to address the multiplying impacts of climate change on women’s health and gender equality, women’s health, particularly non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and gender equality across the Pacific, warning that current systems are failing to reach those most affected.

Speaking at a Women Deliver 2026 side event, ‘Climate Justice at the Heart of Women's Health: Exploring community-led action on climate, gender equality and health in the Pacific’ hosted by The George Institute for Global Health, a panel of experts highlighted how climate change is intensifying health risks, particularly for women and girls, while policy responses remain fragmented and under-resourced.

Key takeaways

• Climate change is not gender neutral - women face higher impacts and burden of disease and have less access to the tools and knowledge needed to adapt.
• With COP31 bringing additional focus to the Pacific, now is the time for action.
• Practical actions include elevating the role of communities in managing programs; reducing red tape and increasing funding for programs that integrate climate, gender and health objectives.

Strengthening climate-resilient health systems

Opening the discussion, Australia’s Ambassador for Global Health, Chris Cannon, emphasised the need to strengthen climate-resilient health systems and ensure they respond to women’s specific health needs, including sexual and reproductive health. He stressed that women must be meaningfully included in climate decision-making at all levels, noting that “when women lead, outcomes improve” for both health and climate resilience.

The growing impact of climate change on NCDs

The panellists underscored that climate change and NCDs, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease, are deeply interconnected and are having disproportionate impacts on women. Moderator Grace Jennings-Edquist described the situation as a “converging crisis” across the region, asking why proven solutions are still not being adequately funded or scaled.

Researchers warned that environmental stressors like extreme heat and air pollution are already exacerbating chronic diseases. Associate Professor Laura Downey outlined how heat exposure contributes to rising rates of stroke, kidney disease and hypertension, increasing pressure on both individuals and health systems.

Lived realities in Pacific communities

For Pacific communities, the impacts are already being felt daily. Ilisapeci Masivesi of Oxfam in the Pacific urged policymakers to “put the body at the centre” of climate responses, explaining that women in the region are experiencing the crisis through its direct effects on their health, livelihoods and access to food.

She highlighted locally led solutions, including hydroponic farming in Kiribati to combat saltwater intrusion into soils, women-led fisheries initiatives in Fiji, and agricultural resilience projects in Vanuatu. These initiatives demonstrate how communities are adapting to climate impacts, but remain heavily dependent on external support.

Funding gaps and system barriers

Despite investment in the region, speakers warned that funds are not reaching frontline communities. Masivesi criticised complex and bureaucratic funding processes that divert resources through intermediaries, leaving only a small share for those most in need. “The system is not doing justice… communities are not receiving the funding,” she said, calling for more direct and accessible financing mechanisms.

Indigenous knowledge and leadership

Indigenous leaders also stressed that climate responses must integrate community knowledge and cultural practices. Keziah Bennett-Brooke noted that climate change is “not culturally neutral,” with Indigenous women often bearing the greatest burden while being excluded from decision-making. She said centring Indigenous knowledge leads to better outcomes for entire populations.

Need for global policy integration

At a global level, experts argued that more coordinated action is needed to integrate health, gender and climate policy. Amanda Ellis, Former New Zealand Ambassador to the United Nations and the first women to lead NZAID, pointed to dramatic increases in diabetes across Pacific nations—rising from around 4% to one-third of the population in Samoa—as evidence of how environmental and social changes are driving NCDs. Ellis pointed to the The Parliamentarians’ Global Guide to Climate Change and Climate Solutions as a mechanism to enhance awareness of the gendered health impacts of climate change for policymakers and suggested updating the Guide in collaboration with The George Institute.

Looking ahead to COP31

Looking ahead to COP31, speakers called for concrete action. Priorities include implementing the Belém Gender Action Plan agreed at COP30, improving gender-disaggregated data, and ensuring Pacific women are not just included but prioritised in global decision-making processes.
Panellists also urged greater investment in community-led initiatives and food and water sovereignty. Several warned that without urgent reform, inequalities will deepen as climate impacts intensify.

The session concluded with a clear message: solutions already exist, but require political will, funding reform and a shift in power toward Pacific-led, women-led approaches.

As summarised by Jahanara Saeed of the Women's Environment & Development Organization, “global action and collaboration is needed to move this agenda forward. The next few years will shape outcomes for decades”. Making action now is critical to achieving a healthier, more equitable and climate-resilient future.