Health Innovation in a Changing Climate: Tackling Disease on the Front Line

Fringe Event at Liberal Democrat Spring 2025 Conference Co-hosted by: Malaria No More UK, Green Liberal Democrats, Liberal Democrats for International Development (LDID), and LibSTEMM
Chair: Lydia Paynter (Malaria No More UK)
Panellists: Lord Jonny Oates, Brian Mathew MP, Dr Mehreen Dattoo (Oxford/Jenner Institute)

Overview

This panel explored how climate change is accelerating global health threats, particularly in low-income countries. With extreme weather events – such as floods – on the rise, the risk of disease outbreaks, including malaria, is increasing. The UK has historically played a leading role in tackling such issues through science, innovation, and international aid.

Key Themes and Insights

1. Climate Change & Global Health Risks

• Climate change is shifting the patterns of disease. For instance, malaria is now being transmitted in high-altitude regions in Ethiopia, previously unaffected.
• Malnutrition – exacerbated by climate stress – is increasing vulnerability to disease, especially in children.

2. The Importance of Science and Innovation

• The UK took 13 years to develop and deploy the first malaria vaccine, underlining the need for sustained research investment.
• Scientific research should not only focus on children but must adopt a broader, inclusive approach.
• Knowledge sharing, global collaboration, and local engagement are key to developing and deploying effective disease prevention tools.

3. Funding Cuts and Their Consequences

• The UK’s reduction in Official Development Assistance (ODA) has already caused significant setbacks.
• A major concern is whether the UK will honour its £9 billion replenishment pledge to the Global Fund.
• Half of the UK’s aid budget is currently being redirected to domestic spending, including refugee support, limiting overseas health programme funding.

4. The Role of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• The SDGs are critical for linking climate, health, and development, and for holding governments accountable.
• However, they are often seen as aspirational rather than actionable. Concrete commitments and delivery mechanisms are needed.

Looking Forward: Solutions and Commitments

When asked what must be done to address these challenges, the panel offered the following:

• Dr Mehreen Dattoo called for sustained, multidisciplinary research and investment, and emphasised the importance of global partnerships and knowledge transfer.
• Lord Oates urged the UK to show leadership, uphold its commitment to 0.7% GNI for aid, and “be the grown-up in the room” during global crises.
• Brian Mathew MP highlighted the urgent need to restore funding and raise public and political awareness of global health threats, including new and re-emerging diseases like Dengue fever.

Audience Engagement Highlights

• Questions raised included how to explore alternative funding mechanisms and how to retain foreign-trained scientific talent in the UK.
• Panellists agreed that stronger partnerships, more effective use of existing funds, and maintaining international collaborations are vital.

Closing Messages

• Dr Dattoo: Disease outbreaks are a global phenomenon and require global responsibility; climate change is a cross-cutting issue that drives migration, hunger, and disease.
• Lord Oates: Personal commitment to global justice stems from witnessing the Ethiopian famine; the UK must remain vocal and proactive on these issues.
• Brian Mathew MP: Climate change and global health must remain priority issues in the political agenda, particularly in the face of growing humanitarian and ecological threats.