Press note – Health groups urge to address burden of pollution in EU long-term budget deliberations
The May 2025 vote on the European Parliament’s priorities for the next EU long-term budget (Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034) included many important health considerations, including on financing for measures to prevent climate change and biodiversity loss. Unfortunately, MEPs failed to include financing to address pollution and the related health impacts. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) calls on earmarking at least 10% of the next EU budget for zero pollution objectives across various funding instruments.
Letter to EC President Von der Leyen calling to uphold climate, nature and public health priorities in the next EU budget
HEAL and eight more Brussels-based organisations have sent a letter to EU Commission President von der Leyen and all EU Commissioners, urging them to uphold climate, nature and public health priorities in the next EU budget.
Letter to MEPs: Civil society engagement at the heart of the European project
Ahead of the upcoming EP plenary vote on 7 May on the 2023 discharge: EU general budget – Commission, executive agencies and European Development Funds, HEAL has sent a letter to MEPs urging them to stand in support of a strong, independent and vibrant civil society.
Letter to MEPs: Pollution and health – 7 May plenary vote on A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world
HEAL has sent a letter to MEPs, regarding their upcoming vote on A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world.
Press note – Health groups call for ambitious health protection in REACH revision
As the revision of EU chemicals legislation REACH is underway, the Health and Environment Alliance urges the European Commission to uphold its commitments on safer chemicals and ensure that ambitious health protections remain at the heart of the project.
EEA: Greater efforts needed for clean air for 2030
Air pollution remains the largest environmental health risk for people in the EU, and more action to tackle it at the source is urgently needed, according to the 2025 edition of the Air Quality Status report by the European Environment Agency (EEA). As more health protective clean air standards will apply as of 2030, HEAL urges national and city authorities to step up on clean air measures, as progress has been too slow.
HEAL at 2nd WHO air quality conference: Global momentum for urgent clean air action and fossil fuel phase-out
HEAL and several of members participated in the Second World Health Organization Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Colombia, March 2025, to showcase how health engagement for clean air can make a difference, and to underline the urgency to act.
HEAL position paper on the next EU budget 2028-2034
As the policy deliberations on the next EU budget for 2028-2034, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), have started, HEAL considers it crucial that health protection from climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution is at the core of spending and investment priorities.
Soaring costs and health burden of climate inaction
The newly released European State of the Climate 2024 annual report (ESOTC), co-published by the European Union’s Copernicus Earth observation program and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), confirms what public health experts have long warned about: the health costs of climate change in Europe are rising fast, and so is the human toll.
Letter to EP BUDG committee on A revamped Long-term Budget for the Union in a Changing World
On 23 April, the European Parliament's BUDG committee is set to vote on the BUDG INI report on A Revamped Long-term Budget for the Union in a changing world, the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). HEAL has sent a letter to members of the committee.
EP ENVI and FEMM committees send strong signal for financing health protection from climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution
This week, two important committees in the European Parliament – ENVI (Environment Climate and Food Safety) and FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality) – adopted their opinion for an upcoming European Parliament resolution on A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world.
Press note – Health groups welcome the revised EU Toy Safety Regulation
The Health and Environment Alliance welcomes the revision of the EU Toy Safety Regulation – with trilogue negotiations reaching an agreement in April 2025. It importantly expands the ban on carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic-for-reproduction substances to include endocrine disruptors and other hazardous substances.
Over 550 civil society organisations call for support for a strong and independent civil society
Ahead of a key vote in the European Parliament, HEAL is one of over 550 civil society organisations from 40 countries, including all EU member states, urging democratic forces to act for a strong and independent civil society, including through adequate funding.
Letter to EP FEMM committee ahead of vote on A revamped Long-term Budget for the Union in a Changing World
On 9/10 April, the European Parliament's FEMM committee is set to vote on the opinion to the BUDG INI report on A Revamped Long-term Budget for the Union in a changing world, the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). HEAL has sent a letter to members of the committee.
Press note – It is time for a health-focused reform of REACH
As the EU Commission and representatives of member states gather on 3 April 2025 to discuss the reform of EU chemicals legislation REACH, HEAL stresses the importance of putting health at the core of the revision. The CARACAL meeting will see the EU Commission present their initial plan for reforming REACH.
ENVI vote risks derailing action to prevent disease and strengthen health resilience
Tonight, the EP’s ENVI committee is set to vote on an objection to the EU LIFE work programme 2025-2027. The LIFE programme is the EU's only programme financing action for health, nature and climate protection, especially at local level. For over three decades, LIFE has supported over 6,000 projects, many of which have led to tangible health improvements, e.g. through cleaner air. A modest amount of the LIFE programme is allocated for operating grants for NGOs. HEAL is concerned that a group of center-right Parliamentarians aims to derail the programme's execution in their rally against civil society.
