In June 2025 the Health and Environment Alliance is hosting an international conference in Warsaw, Poland, presenting the latest science on health and exposure to chemicals, and an outlook on necessary policy measures. The international conference will take place under the patronage of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Today, the 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.
“The health cost of pollution in Europe is staggering – hundreds of billions annually from air pollution alone, while endocrine disrupting chemicals add up to €163 billion in health costs yearly. The next EU long-term budget must prioritise pollution reduction alongside climate and biodiversity action if we’re serious about meeting policy commitments and protecting public health in Europe.” Claudio Lanza, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, Health and Climate at HEAL states.
As fossil fuels drive both air pollution and climate change, HEAL supports the resolution’s call to phase out fossil fuel subsidies in the next long-term budget. HEAL encourages the EU Commission to incorporate considerations for reducing pollution’s substantial health costs and increasing preventative investments that protect health in the Commission’s budget proposal in July 2025.
Notes:
See HEAL’s recommendations for prioritising health in the EU budget cycle 2028- 2034.
See the joint letter by HEAL and eight other organisations to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling to uphold climate, nature and public health priorities in the next EU budget.
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