Dhaka, Nov. 7 -- Could better warnings before heatwaves, access to safe drinking water and cleaner cooking fuels help save 1.6 million lives every year?

The World Health Organization (WHO) says they could, alongside three other measures, if governments expand their use worldwide.

The UN health agency's latest report puts the potential annual economic benefits at $3.9 trillion, with another $5.4 trillion in government revenue.

The measures could also help avoid 16.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to 31 percent of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry.

The six proposed interventions are heat-health warning systems, climate-resilient drinking-water services, basic sanitation, hygi...