Climate change and health: Leopoldina and Chinese Academy publish joint declaration

Heat, droughts, emerging infectious diseases – climate change is having a significant impact on the health of humans, animals and the environment. International collaboration is essential to better understand these interconnections through a One Health approach and to build resilience to climate-related stressors. To this end, the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) today signed the “SfF2026 Declaration on Climate, Health and Biodiversity”. In the declaration, both academies reaffirm their cooperation in researching climate-related health risks and advocate the equitable exchange of data and the responsible use of modern technologies required for this purpose.

Both academies emphasise that the interactions between climate change, the environment and health must be understood more fully in order to prevent health risks. This includes not only resilience to extreme weather events such as heatwaves and floods, but also addressing food security and infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. On the one hand, changing climatic conditions favour the spread of such zoonoses: pathogens and their vectors, such as mosquitoes, are increasingly able to establish themselves in temperate climate zones. On the other hand, human interventions in ecosystems increase the likelihood of people coming into closer contact with wild animals and their pathogens. This also raises the risk of novel zoonoses emerging.

International cooperation in basic research and the development of new technologies can make a decisive contribution to mitigating health risks caused by climate change. In the “SfF2026 Declaration”, Leopoldina and CAS therefore reaffirm their cooperation and outline the framework conditions necessary for it. Artificial intelligence, for example, can support risk modelling and the improvement of early-warning systems. However, such modern technologies require binding ethical and legal frameworks as well as fair conditions for access and use. Research data should also be accessible and usable internationally on an equal footing. Both academies therefore advocate the reciprocal use of research data and the joint further development of modern technologies. Leopoldina and CAS also emphasise the importance of scientific independence and integrity, and underline the need for transparent, evidence-based policy advice.

The “SfF2026 Declaration on Climate, Health and Biodiversity” is available here in English: www.leopoldina.org/en/sff-declaration

The “SfF2026 Declaration on Climate, Health and Biodiversity” was signed by Leopoldina President Bettina Rockenbach and CAS President Jianguo Hou during the third Science for Future conference, which is taking place today and tomorrow in Beijing, China, under the title “The Interconnectedness of Climate and Health: Approaches from China and Germany”. Further information: www.leopoldina.org/en/sff

The Leopoldina maintains close contact with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The aim of the cooperation is to promote exchange between the two scientific communities, for example as part of joint expert symposiums. In addition, the Leopoldina and its Chinese partners are jointly involved in providing international policy advice, for example by developing statements for the G20 summits. In 2018, the two academies launched the “Science for Future” initiative with the aim of highlighting the important role of basic research for society: https://www.leopoldina.org/en/tasks/networking/global-partners/china

About the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
As the German National Academy of Sciences, the Leopoldina provides independent science-based policy advice on matters relevant to society. To this end, the Academy develops interdisciplinary statements based on scientific findings. In these publications, options for action are outlined; making decisions, however, is the responsibility of democratically legitimized politicians. The experts who prepare the statements work in a voluntary and unbiased manner. The Leopoldina represents the German scientific community in the international academy dialogue. This includes advising the annual summits of Heads of State and Government of the G7 and G20 countries. With around 1,750 members from more than 30 countries, the Leopoldina combines expertise from almost all research areas. Founded in 1652, it was appointed the National Academy of Sciences of Germany in 2008. The Leopoldina is committed to the common good.