Leading scientists are warning COP29 decision-makers about the dangers of climate change for mothers and babies in a newly published report.

The report says, increased risks such as pregnancy loss, preterm birth, severe maternal health issues, and cognitive effects on children are noted, yet policy responses remain inadequate.

The report indicates that only 27 out of 119 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) reference maternal and newborn health as well as sexual and reproductive health.

Authored by an international group of 80 top scientists from 45 countries, it warns that climate change is increasing the risks of illness and harm to pregnant women, fetuses, and newborns, which could undo the progress made in maternal and reproductive health over the past few decades.

There are also gaps in higher education and training on climate change and health, resulting in limited preparedness among healthcare services and social safety nets to tackle these challenges.

It says that, although current research highlights strong connections between climate change and maternal and reproductive health (MRH), the exact pathways remain unclear, and studies from the most vulnerable regions are lacking. This hinders a comprehensive understanding of the impact's magnitude. If these gaps are not addressed, there is a risk of reversing the progress made in MRH over recent decades.

The report titled “10 New Insights in Climate Science” gathers the latest findings from physical and social sciences to guide discussions at the UN climate summit in Azerbaijan.

It highlights that entrenched gender norms, along with low income and education levels, worsen the effects of climate change on maternal and reproductive health. Therefore, interventions aimed at reducing these negative impacts should incorporate strategies that promote gender equity and justice.

“Urgent calls are being made to increase awareness and catalyse action globally, including the recent “Protecting maternal, newborn and child health from the impacts of climate change” Call to Action by UN agencies ahead of COP28,” the report said.

The report cites examples from countries like India, where a study of 800 pregnant working women revealed that nearly 50% experienced exposure to occupational heat stress, exceeding safe work limits.

The findings indicated that the risk of miscarriage was doubled for those exposed to heat stress compared to those who were not, which has serious implications for tropical nations, where millions of women are at risk of such exposure.

In Southern California, researchers found significant links between long-term heat exposure and an increase in birth complications, such as stillbirth and preterm birth. The risk was particularly higher among women with lower educational levels and limited access to green spaces.

Research also across 33 countries in South and Central America, Asia, and Africa estimated that flood events may lead to over 107,000 pregnancy losses annually in these regions, with elevated risks for women with lower income and education levels.

“Climate change can also indirectly impact MRH. Increased heat can reduce the availability of food and water, resulting in new mothers needing to travel further in heat, thus experiencing delayed recovery from birth. Food insecurity is linked with inadequate nutrition during pregnancy, lower birth weight and reduced breast milk production. Studies have also reported declines in breastfeeding frequency, reduced travel for medical care and lower use of mosquito nets in extreme heat, all of which have MRH implications.”

Climate-related displacement is associated with insufficient healthcare support, poor nutrition, inadequate rest and sanitation, and weakened social support networks, along with an increased risk of sexual violence.

According to the 52-page report, solutions to the impacts of climate change on maternal and reproductive health (MRH) must be integrated with justice and gender-transformative rights-based approaches.

It highlights that women of color, as well as those with low income and education levels, experience greater impacts from climate change and have limited access to healthcare services, leading to disproportionate challenges regarding their MRH.

The report indicates that, although health is a key focus in National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), there is limited explicit attention to sexual, maternal, reproductive, and children's health.

The authors emphasize that raising awareness about the growing risks climate change poses to pregnant women, fetuses, and newborns should drive the inclusion of specific provisions in new NAPs.

“The Framework for Global Climate Resilience (FGCR) could recognise maternal and reproductive health (MRH) as a key area of concern in climate adaptation, and place greater emphasis on addressing the social determinants of MRH that intersect with climate change impacts, such as poverty, gender inequality, and limited access to healthcare.”

The authors advocate for awareness and education programs targeting community groups, including maternal health workers, women’s support groups, traditional birth attendants, and local leaders, focusing on the specific risks of heat to maternal and reproductive health (MRH), such as recognizing early signs of dehydration.

They also recommend institutionalizing labor guidelines to protect pregnant women during extreme weather conditions, ensuring that these measures do not create additional barriers for women in securing or retaining their jobs while pregnant.