A monthly update for the health and environment community in Europe

Editorial: EU needs more ambitious strategy to tackle climate change and avoid public health crisis

As EU Ministers discussed in Paris the future of climate change and the EU’s energy policy, HEAL called on them to cut domestic greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% by 2020 rather than 20% by 2020, in line with the International panel on Climate Change 25-40% recommendation (read HEAL open letter “Turning Effort Sharing into Benefit Sharing). Ministers must consider not just the costs but also the benefits of tackling climate change effectively and rapidly. Most of these benefits are linked to improved health, particularly those related to obesity, cardio-respiratory and mental health, reduced air pollution and accidents.

HEAL’s call was also highlighted in the HEAL and EUropean REGional Local Health Authorities (EUREGHA) conference recommendations at a meeting held in Brussels on 24 June: "Climate change and the challenges for public health: Engaging the regions". The conference recommendations are now open for signatures by sending an email to the HEAL Secretariat. We urge you to sign up!

Genon Jensen, Executive Director of HEAL, stated at the conference that "climate change and the lack of action to tackle the problem is a public health disaster happening in Europe and the world today. Unless Ministers, Parliamentarians and decision makers act ambitiously and show leadership now within the EU and internationally, the prediction is a public health catastrophe that even the best health systems will be unable to cope with."

At the conference, good practice awards were handed to health groups taking action on climate change and protecting health from current climate change effects.

For further information on Health and Climate Change sign up to HEAL list serve.