Cross-sector policy engagement

Raising the profile of the climate-mental health nexus in global climate change and health spaces

Since the publication of our 2021 policy briefing (cited in two reports from the World Health Organisation), we have made a significant impact on integrating climate into mental health policy and practice, and mental health into climate policy and practice.  We have built networks and influenced discussions at global events such as the World Economic Forum, World Congress of Psychiatry and Climate Conference of the Parties (COPs). 

We have an ongoing collaboration with the King’s Fund to convene UK civil servants in a series of workshops on climate change and mental health. Attended by more than ten government departments and agencies from around the UK, these workshops have promoted knowledge-sharing across departments to explore where evidence can drive action.  

Policy engagement activities by the Climate Cares team have included: 

  • The first UNFCCC COP event focused on climate change and mental health at COP26 in Glasgow 
  • Speeches and official UNFCCC side events at COP conferences (COP27, COP28, COP29), including on the World Health Organisation stage. 
  • Team member Omnia El Omrani was Health Envoy for COP28 and worked with the COP28 Presidency to ensure mental health and wellbeing was integrated into the UAE Climate and Health Declaration 
  • Workshops with local authorities to bring together the climate and heath teams alongside key local stakeholders 
  • Consultation on the WHO policy briefing paper on climate change and mental health 
  • Work with the Royal College of Psychiatry and Royal College of Physiology to integrate climate considerations into the understanding of the impacts of extreme heat. 

Policy-related research has included: 


Read more about our work with COP and calls for action
COP26: Climate Cares event summary;
COP28: Progress and Shortfalls at COP28', 'Why mental health is front of mind at this year's COP'.
COP29: Putting health on the agenda

Convening cross-sector roundtables

Climate Cares, together with the King’s Fund, have convened UK civil servants in series of workshops on climate change and mental health to promote knowledge sharing across departments and explore where evidence building can most drive action. Held in 2024 and 2025, these two workshops to date have brought together over 10 government departments and agencies.

Assessing how mental health is included in key climate policies 

Climate Cares, together with United for Global Mental Health, is assessing how mental health is integrated into national adaptation plans globally. In 2025 we will be publishing this analysis, alongside case studies showcasing where mental health has been integrated well into adaptation planning, and a framework for what successful integration could look like to prevent and respond to the mental health impacts of climate change and harness opportunities for co-beneficial climate action for mental health.

Policy Paper

The Climate Cares Centre produced the first global policy briefing on climate change and mental health. Published by the Grantham Institute in early 2021, the policy brief 'The impact of climate change on mental health and emotional wellbeing: current evidence and implications for policy and practice'  has been downloaded over 21,000 times and featured in international media, including for example: Al Jazeera, Reuters, Guardian, New York Times.

The report has subsequently been cited in two reports from the World Health Organisation and is on the recommended reading lists of a number of university courses.