Climate change threatens the basic elements of life such as access to clean air, water, food and shelter – and with that human health. But climate action could be the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century.
HEAL works with Global organisations like UNFCCC, UNEP and WHO, with European and national decision-makers as well as environmental organisations towards climate and energy policies putting human health at the centre of their priorities.
Environmental health priorities for Croatia’s presidency of the Council of the European Union
17th January 2020
Croatia holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2020. In a letter to Croatia's prime minister Andrej Plenkovic, HEAL shared its priorities on how we consider the Presidency can help advance the protection of health from environment and climate threats in the next months, particularly regarding the EU Green Deal proposal.
Turkish Health Professionals call for Better Air Pollution Monitoring and Legislation
16th January 2020
In Turkey as in the whole of Europe, air pollution is the top environmental threat…
Stepping up Dutch climate action for a healthy future for our children
19th December 2019
The swift closing of the 3 additional coal power plants would not only deliver the missing 9 Mt of emission cuts the Netherlands still needs to additionally reduce for the year 2020, they would also deliver very tangible and immediate benefits to health, by reducing health costs of up to 263,273 Euros, and preventing over 25,000 lost working days due to illness annually. Nearly 1,500 asthma attacks by children would also be prevented.
The government has been appealing the Urgenda verdict for 4 years - it should recognise that accepting and executing it will be a blessing. For this week, I am looking to our Parliament and our government to reconfirm a commitment to a swift and urgent coal phase out before 2030 and the pathway to it - for decisive climate and clean air action, and the substantial benefit for our children in the short and long term.
The European Green Deal identifies right areas for action but more urgency needed to meet zero pollution ambition and benefit health
11th December 2019
Today, the European Commission presented the European Green Deal plan that sets out many environmental health issues, where the European Union policies such as climate, air or chemicals, can help deliver a zero pollution objective and better health protection for all. However, to achieve the transformational, systemic change needed to address the magnitude of the challenges the world is facing today, the timeline and scope of the European Green Deal will have to better reflect the evidence which clearly makes the case for more urgent action.
A European Green Deal that strives for a healthy planet for healthy people is putting zero pollution and health protection at its core
4th December 2019
HEAL together with members called on the European College of Commissioners and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to translate the support they have expressed for environmental health protection during their parliamentary hearings into tangible and impactful policy proposals and legislation. Zero pollution and health protection need to be at the core of the Commission’s flagship European Green Deal. It is essential that the European Green Deal delivers on climate change, on clean air and on health protection from hazardous chemicals, including endocrine disrupting chemicals.
Climate action for our health and planetary health
2nd December 2019
by Genon K. Jensen, Executive Director at HEAL We hope that world leaders meeting in…
Healthy buildings, healthier people
28th May 2018
Buildings: They shape our health and well being on a daily basis regardless of whether…
Environmental health priorities for Croatia’s presidency of the Council of the European Union
17th January 2020
Croatia holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2020. In a letter to Croatia's prime minister Andrej Plenkovic, HEAL shared its priorities on how we consider the Presidency can help advance the protection of health from environment and climate threats in the next months, particularly regarding the EU Green Deal proposal.
A European Green Deal that strives for a healthy planet for healthy people is putting zero pollution and health protection at its core
4th December 2019
HEAL together with members called on the European College of Commissioners and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to translate the support they have expressed for environmental health protection during their parliamentary hearings into tangible and impactful policy proposals and legislation. Zero pollution and health protection need to be at the core of the Commission’s flagship European Green Deal. It is essential that the European Green Deal delivers on climate change, on clean air and on health protection from hazardous chemicals, including endocrine disrupting chemicals.
Health professionals on derogations for coal power plants: no exemptions for pollution
3rd December 2018
Bulgarian health community highlights the huge health benefits of refusing giving derogations or pollution exemptions…
NGO statement urging Turkish decision makers to step up at COP24
2nd December 2018
More than 25 NGOs working in Turkey released a joint statement urging Turkish decision makers…
Letter to EU ministers on Capacity Mechanisms
17th October 2018
HEAL as one of 31 networks and organisation has ahead of the upcoming trilogue meeting…
The European Green Deal identifies right areas for action but more urgency needed to meet zero pollution ambition and benefit health
11th December 2019
Today, the European Commission presented the European Green Deal plan that sets out many environmental health issues, where the European Union policies such as climate, air or chemicals, can help deliver a zero pollution objective and better health protection for all. However, to achieve the transformational, systemic change needed to address the magnitude of the challenges the world is facing today, the timeline and scope of the European Green Deal will have to better reflect the evidence which clearly makes the case for more urgent action.
Independent data highlights air pollution crisis in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
25th June 2019
Dust pollution in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been twice the legal limit on two thirds of monitored days in 2018 and caused over one hundred premature deaths in adults during the year, according to independent new data published today in the report 'Lifting the Smog' by CEE Bankwatch Network, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the Center for Ecology and Energy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
New research on energy poverty: majority of EU countries unable to keep citizens warm over winter
20th February 2019
Energy poverty is a matter of life and death for many Europeans according to new research published today by the European Right to Energy coalition, with expert input provided by HEAL, which reveals a majority of EU countries have significant levels of energy poverty.
Press release: EU action on Western Balkans’ chronic coal pollution is a unique opportunity to improve health and productivity
18th February 2019
Sixteen outdated coal power plants in the Western Balkans are a public health and economic liability for the whole of Europe, with people in the EU bearing the majority of the health impacts and costs, according to a new report by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), Sandbag, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, CEE Bankwatch Network and Europe Beyond Coal. The European Union (EU) needs to use all of the tools available to improve health, prolong lives, save health costs and increase productivity both in the EU and in the Western Balkan region.
Step forward for health protection in Turkey: Proposal to extend the pollution exemptions given to privatised coal power plants withdrawn
15th February 2019
Last night, 14 February, all political parties in the Turkish Parliament agreed to withdraw a…
