Clean Energy Transitions: Uneven Health Benefits & the Need for Global Health Justice
A modern study published in Nature Medicine asserts that the health benefits of transitioning to clean energy are not being equitably distributed, even as global emissions targets are met. Researchers are calling for a health-centered global governance framework to ensure “health justice” is a core component of climate policy.
The study, released March 19, 2026, highlights a critical gap in current climate strategies. Whereas reducing carbon emissions is paramount, the researchers argue that simply achieving those targets does not guarantee improved health outcomes for all populations. The uneven distribution of benefits, they contend, requires a more deliberate and globally coordinated approach.
The call for a “health-centered global governance framework” comes as policymakers grapple with the complexities of energy transitions and the require to address existing health disparities. Advocates for energy justice, as outlined in a 2023 report from the U.S. Department of Energy, emphasize reducing energy costs for low-income communities, avoiding disproportionate impacts from energy projects, and ensuring equitable access to clean energy sources.
The urgency of addressing both climate change and health equity is underscored by recent reports from the World Health Organization (WHO). A January 2025 roadmap focuses on enhancing the global response to the adverse health effects of air pollution, while a 2018 COP24 special report specifically linked climate change to public health concerns. These reports, alongside research published in journals like Nature Communications, demonstrate the interconnectedness of environmental and health challenges.
Shalanda H. Baker, Professor of Law, Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University School of Law and Co-Director of the Initiative for Energy Justice, has been a leading voice in advocating for a just transition. Baker, currently on leave to serve in the Biden administration, has focused her work on energy justice, renewable energy development, and indigenous rights. She previously directed the Energy Justice Program at the University of Hawai’i and served on the faculty at the University of San Francisco School of Law.
Researchers point to the need for policy measures that not only promote clean energy but likewise actively address the social determinants of health. This includes ensuring community participation in energy sector decision-making, as highlighted in the Department of Energy report, and addressing the economic burdens associated with energy costs. A study published in Environmental Science & Technology in 2024 further emphasizes the need to consider these factors in energy transition planning.
The Nature Medicine study builds on previous research, including work published in Nature Communications in 2024, that examines the dynamics between the urgency of climate action and the pursuit of justice in energy transitions. Policymakers are now tasked with navigating these competing priorities and developing strategies that prioritize both environmental sustainability and public health. The Solutions Project, where Baker serves as President of the Board, is one organization working to advance these goals.
As of March 22, 2026, the WHO has not issued a formal response to the Nature Medicine study, and the details of a potential “health-centered global governance framework” remain under discussion among international stakeholders. A meeting of the Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act Implementation Advisory Committee Climate Justice Working Group, on which Baker serves, is scheduled for April 15, 2026, to discuss strategies for implementing equitable climate policies within the state.