Legal framework on Climate Change in the Health Care Sector of Georgia
Categories: Heat-Health Adaptation Plan (HHAP), Country experience, Europe, Climate Resilient Health Systems, Action Line 1: Surveillance and monitoring, Action Line 2: Evidence-based policy strategy and capacity building, Climate resilient and low carbon infrastructures, technologies, and supply chain, Climate-related emergency preparedness and management, Climate-transformative leadership and governance, Integrated risks, monitoring, early warning, and GHG emissions tracking, Health systems wide resilience, Heat and cold
Country: Georgia
Context
Georgia has made strides to address health risks posed by climate change, including extreme heat and risks to the health system. The main policies and plans adopted over the last years include:
1. “Recommendations on Health Risks Associated with Heat Waves and Their Prevention” adopted by an Order from the National Center for Diseases Control and Public Health (NCDC) and disseminated to the local Governments (Municipalities) of Georgia. These include recommendations for the population and the medical personnel on how to behave during the onset of a heat wave period to maximally avoid the negative impact of high temperatures on health and related consequences.
2.“Guidelines for Managing Public Health Risks from Heat Waves” adopted by an Order from the NCDC and disseminated to the local Governments (Municipalities) of Georgia. These include guidelines for early warning of the population on extreme heat, whereby the National Environmental Agency issues notifications for the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health to ensure timely information to the population about health threats and preventive measures related to expected heat waves.
3. “Action Plan for the Management of Public Health Risks Related to Heat Waves for 2024-2030” adopted by an Order of the Minister of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the Occupied Territories of Georgia, Labor, Health and Social Protection. This Action Plan aims to strengthen national climate change adaptation capacities by implementing heat wave response mechanisms. The document is conceptually and strategically linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 and the World Health Organization’s guidance document on the preparation of heat wave action plans.
4. “2025-2027 Action Plan for Adaptation to the Consequences of Climate Change in the Healthcare Sector” adopted by an Order of the Minister of IDPs from the Occupied Territories of Georgia, Labor, Health and Social Protection. The 2025-2027 Action Plan aims to prepare the groundwork for implementing climate change adaptation measures in the health sector and will facilitate effective implementation of multisectoral measures of the subsequent National Adaptation Plan.
5. The Healthcare Facilities Decarbonization Roadmap also published by the NCDC in 2023, with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). This document aims to help Georgia’s healthcare facilities and the health sector understand their impact on climate change and assist them in the decarbonization process. It represents the first effort to outline decarbonization pathways for Georgian healthcare facilities and has been developed in accordance with the Global Roadmap for Healthcare Decarbonization.
6. “Strengthening of Surveillance on Climate Change – Related Diseases and Risk-Factors” guidance document, also prepared with support from UNDP. This guidance is now being used in national adaptation processes.
Implementation process
The above mentioned legal acts are currently being implemented with involvement of other ministries and stakeholders to address the negative impact of climate change to the population, including extreme temperatures and heat waves, and other extreme weather events.
Lessons learned
Challenges
- Low awareness of the population regarding climate change and low interests of the local government and of the business sector can hinder the implementation of actions to address climate change.
Success factors
- Awareness raising campaigns and advocacy about climate change problems can facilitate efforts to tackle climate change and health issues.
Recommendations
- Based on Georgia’s experience, it is recommended to develop trainings on climate change and to establish a national “Climate Smart Surveillance System” (CSSS) to advance health adaptation efforts.
← Back to Case studies for the Belém Health Action Plan