The Global Technical Assistance Platform for Climate and Health
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) engaged van der Horst as a senior expert consultant on Climate and Health to inform the development of the Global Climate and Health Technical Assistance Platform (GTAP). GTAP is a transformative initiative aimed at integrating climate and health expertise through quality-assured data, advanced analytical tools, and collaborative strategies to guide effective climate mitigation and adaptation interventions at both regional and global levels.
GTAP’s development is anchored in an extensive literature review conducted by van der Horst, which analyzed over 200 gray and published sources. This review identified critical gaps in existing climate and health research while underscoring the potential of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to bridge these gaps. The integration of AI/ML technologies within GTAP’s design empowers the platform to deliver innovative solutions and predictive insights, ensuring it remains responsive to the evolving global climate-health landscape.
Building on the findings of the literature review, van der Horst also developed a GTAP comprehensive implementation roadmap, focused on leveraging cutting-edge generative AI/ML strategies. These AI/ML tools will enable the platform to process vast amounts of climate and health data, generate actionable insights for both mitigation and adaptation strategies, and support decision-making across various levels—from pan-regional to national. This state-of-the-art approach ensures that GTAP is adaptive, scalable, and capable of responding to emerging trends and challenges in the climate-health nexus.
Additionally, an in-depth stakeholder engagement process, led by van der Horst, was crucial to shaping the platform. Consultations with representatives from multilateral development banks, academia, civil society, government agencies, and the private sector ensured that GTAP addresses diverse stakeholder needs. This collaborative process laid the foundation for a sustainable, long-term roadmap that aligns GTAP’s functionalities with real-world requirements.
Initially focused on the Asia-Pacific region, GTAP is set to expand into a global resource, driving climate-resilient health interventions worldwide. With an official launch planned for early 2025, GTAP aims to serve as a vital platform for stakeholders to make informed decisions, collaborate effectively, and implement sustainable health solutions in response to climate change.