The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), in partnership with The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, has launched a national policy report calling on the Australian Government to place health at the centre of climate change policy, now and into the future. Building on the findings of the 2025 Global Report[1] of the Lancet Countdown, the report recommends three key priority actions the Government must commit to in order to ensure a climate-resilient future and safeguard the health of all Australians:
- Adapt a National Clean Air Framework for Health: Currently, Australia lacks federal clean air legislation; existing measures are inconsistent and unenforceable. In 2022, more than 3,400 deaths in Australia were attributed to fine particulate matter air pollution. We believe a National Clean Air Framework, with legally binding standards, continuous monitoring, and cross-sector accountability would unify state and territory efforts, align with WHO standards, and cut respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
- Urgent Investment to Implement National Health and Climate Strategy: The Strategy provides a roadmap for building climate-resilient health systems but lacks dedicated government funding. Older Australians (65+) now face 56% more heatwave days each year compared with 1986–2005, straining health services and staff. Long-term Commonwealth investment would strengthen health system resilience.
- Redirect Fossil Fuel Subsidies Toward Health and Climate Resilience: Australia provided US$10.8 Billion in fossil fuel subsidies in 2023. Redirecting subsidies for health and climate change objectives would help deliver economic and social benefits for the country.
ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler said the human costs of delayed actions on climate change are growing: “The ANMF’s collaboration with The Lancet Countdown highlights the urgent need for action that puts the health of Australians front and centre of the Government’s climate change policy.
“As Australia’s largest health workforce, nurses and midwives see first-hand the growing impact of extreme heat, poor air quality and displacement caused by climate disasters. That’s why we’re calling on the Government to adopt these recommendations to better protect people across the community.”
The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change is a global research collaboration that tracks the connections between climate change and public health. Providing the data behind this policy priority report, the collaboration endeavours to inform action.
Director Marina Romanello, said: “The Lancet Countdown’s findings highlight that climate action is a lifeline for health. In Australia and globally, lives are already being lost and disrupted by heatwaves, wildfires, and the spread of infectious diseases. Fortunately, we already know the steps needed to minimise these harms – from cutting air pollution to help us breathe cleaner air, to redirecting fossil fuel subsidies towards health and climate resilience. Translating evidence into action is our chance to protect lives and build a healthier, more prosperous future.”
In the lead-up to COP30 in Brazil, the ANMF and its members, working with The Lancet Countdown, will engage with Government policymakers, health organisations and other key stakeholders, to advocate for these priorities and ensure Australia’s climate commitments reflect the health needs of the nation.
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The ANMF, with over 345,000 members, is the industrial and professional voice for nurses, midwives and carers in Australia.
ANMF media release authorised by Annie Butler, ANMF Federal Secretary. 1/365 Queen St, Melbourne.
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