As EU member states, regional and local authorities prepare to implement the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD), this briefing by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) argues that decision-makers and authorities should pay particular attention to addressing socio-economic inequalities in their clean air efforts. The swift transposition and implementation of the new rules, with strengthened administrative collaboration and the full utilisation of financial support schemes, promise significant progress towards cleaner air across Europe. Improved air quality will be beneficial to everyone and contribute to preventing health inequalities for those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
In a joint declaration released on Monday, 29 June, the French Public Health Association, the French Society of Environmental Health and the French Medical Council, supported by several European and international health associations, demand a greater focus on health during the COP21 climate negotiations in Paris this December. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) has co-signed the declaration.
Underlining the role of health professionals in the prevention of climate-related diseases, the signatories ask the French authorities preparing the climate negotiations to explicitly include health in the final negotiations and commitments of COP21.
Read the full text of the declaration in English here and in French here.