The GHEMMS checklist: design, conduct, and reporting guidance for studies modelling climate mitigation actions and their health cobenefits.

Reynolds, Tamzin; Milner, James; Waddington, Hugh Sharma; Anton, Blanca; Benton, Lorna; Belesova, Kristine; Whitmee, Sarah; Newbould, Rebecca et al. · Lancet Planet Health · 2026

other · Level V

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Abstract

Climate mitigation actions can deliver numerous health cobenefits, providing opportunities to frame greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions in terms of their immediate benefits to human life. Health effects of mitigation (HEM) modelling studies help to evidence these human health benefits, driving progress towards net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. However, HEM modelling studies often contain inappropriate heterogeneity, resulting in inefficiencies in evidence development, synthesis, and use, thus hindering policy implementation. We developed the guidance for health effects of mitigation modelling studies (GHEMMS) checklist after performing an umbrella review of HEM research and existing guidance, consulting interest holders, conducting iterative testing on HEM modelling literature, and piloting. This novel checklist is a tool to guide best practice for the design, conduct, and reporting of HEM modelling studies. The GHEMMS checklist contains 30 items divided into seven main categories: (1) planning and protocol, (2) background context, (3) defining the scenarios, (4) GHG modelling, (5) health modelling, (6) validity, and (7) reporting. The GHEMMS checklist addresses methodological heterogeneity and nontransparency in current HEM research. It provides a structured approach for modelling the GHG impact and health cobenefits of climate mitigation actions, thereby enhancing comparability, clarity, and policy relevance.