London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

This event, hosted by the Pathfinder Initiative at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, C40 Cities, the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) and the Government of Somalia, will explore the role of national and city-level action in advancing integrated solutions for climate change and health. 

The session will examine how coordinated action across local, regional and national governments can accelerate the implementation of countries’ climate commitments – including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) – while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening resilience, and improving health and equity.

The event will take place during the UNFCCC June Climate Meetings (SB64) in Bonn, Germany, a key milestone between COP30 and COP31 in advancing international climate negotiations.

Drawing on case studies from around the world, the session will showcase how urban design, planning and air quality interventions can transform cities while delivering climate and health benefits. Examples will include sustainable transport systems, walking and cycling infrastructure, clean air policies, and expanded green and blue spaces such as parks, rivers and waterways.

The event will also explore approaches that address both climate mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (preparing for climate impacts), including sustainable cooling initiatives in Somalia and their contribution to national climate plans.

Through a facilitated panel discussion, speakers will highlight the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in advancing climate and health action, and examine how cities can help shape national and international climate agendas, recognising their growing role in delivering NDCs and NAPs.

Join us to discuss practical, evidence-informed solutions that can help scale up climate and health action for healthier, more resilient and more equitable futures.

Please be aware that all attendees will need a delegate pass for the Bonn Conference via a UNFCCC accredited organisation to attend this event both in person and virtually. Please note that this event will be held at 10:30-11:45 local time in Bonn (CEST). 

Speakers

Chair: Dr Iris Blom, Researcher, Pathfinder Initiative, LSHTM

Dr. Iris Blom is a medical doctor, climate-health researcher and policy expert who recently completed her PhD at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on greenhouse gas mitigation in healthcare systems and its intersection with climate adaptation, with a focus on Kenya. A Schwarzman Scholar with a master's in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University and a 2026 Falling Walls Female Science Talent, she brings a transdisciplinary lens to climate and health.

She served as Penholder of the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health at WHO/Europe, co-chairs the Working Group on Resilience for the Lancet Commission on Sustainable Healthcare, and researches for the Pathfinder Commission 2.0. A Founding Member of the WHO Youth Council, she has advocated for health in climate policy across seven World Health Assemblies and UNFCCC COP25–COP30, and continues to support youth engagement at WHO's Department of External Relations and Governance.

Ms Gulnara Roll, Head of the Sectoral Transition Section, UNEP

Gulnara Roll is the Head of Sectoral Transition Section at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Climate Change Division in Paris. She has worked with the United Nations since 2009, holding roles with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in Geneva and the UN Regional Commissions Office in New York. Earlier in her career, she worked with the International Association for the Promotion of Scientific Cooperation in Brussels, and gained experience in academia and international programme management in Tartu, Estonia. Gulnara’s academic background is in environmental sciences and policy, and human geography.

Dr Abdullahi Khalif, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), Government of Somalia

Dr Khalif is a visionary leader with over 25 years of experience in leadership, governance, overseas development, and humanitarian aid, specialising in climate financing, food security, policy advice, and partnership development across, UN agencies, NGOs, and Donors. He is highly skilled in understanding onset climate shocks, conflict dynamics, providing strategic policy advice, and advancing institutional development. Dr Khalif is currently Somalia's NDC Country Coordinator and leads Somalia's international climate agenda. Dr. Khalif holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Entomology. He thought at the University of Nairobi and currently teaches several University in Somalia such as City University. Dr. Khalif speaks English, Kiswahili, Arabic, Italian, and Somali languages. Dr. Khalif published numerous peer-reviewed papers on food security, early warning systems, policy change, peace and development, and humanitarian aid.

Urszula Kasperek, Head, CHAMP National Engagement, C40 Cities

 

Dr George D. Thurston, New York University School of Medicine

 

Dr Lorna Benton, Research Fellow in Planetary Health, Pathfinder Initiative, LSHTM

 

Event notices

• Please note that you can join this event in person or you can join the session remotely. A UNFCCC delegate pass will be required for both in-person and virtual attendance
• Please note that this session will not be recorded