False fix: the hidden health impacts of Europe’s fossil gas dependency
First of its kind analysis on the health harm of burning fossil gas shows that in 2019 alone, burning fossil gas for power (and heat) generation caused over 2,800 premature…
Mental health and cities
Our new infographic explores the links between cities, climate change, air pollution and mental health - and how we can create mental health-friendly cities. Available in English and Polish.
Healthy Mobility: A new approach to urban space environments
Across Europe, from East to West, North to South, mayors and local decision-makers have initiated measures to make cities more sustainable and climate-friendly. There is a wealth of good practice…
The impact of air pollution from transport on children’s health and development
HEAL Poland has published a new infographic highlighting the fact that children are particularly vulnerable to suffering impacts from air pollution, with sometimes lifelong consequences, available in English and Polish.
Reply from European Commision to civil society letter calling to save lives, protect nature from air pollution with science-based revised EU air quality standards
On 22 March, HEAL, together with 35+ medical, health, environmental, public health civil society organisations has sent a letter to European Commission Executive Vice-President Timmermans, Commissioners Sinkevičius and Kyriakides, calling on them…
Letter: Civil society call to save lives, protect nature from air pollution with science-based revised EU air quality standards
HEAL, together with 35+ medical, health, environmental, public health civil society organisations has sent a letter to European Commission Executive Vice-President Timmermans, Commissioners Sinkevičius and Kyriakides, calling on them and…
European Parliament recognises the European Green Deal as a significant contributing factor to cancer prevention in Europe
The European Parliament has adopted its non-legislative report responding to the publication of the EU Commission 2021 communication on Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, recognising the EU Green Deal is a key tool to limit people’s exposure to pollution and prevent cancer.
Health experts demand more attention and action on the public health threat of wood burning in the Western Balkans
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) has today launched a briefing exploring the public health threat of wood-burning in the Western Balkans, as a major contributor to air pollution in the region. The briefing presents evidence-based arguments on wood burning and scientific data to support decision-making, as the Western Balkans and the EU shift to a carbon-neutral and healthy future.
HEAL urges MEPs to put spotlight on environmental health at EU French Presidency exchange
The European Parliament will hold an exchange with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the programme of activities of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU (January - June 2022) on 19 January 2022. At the onset of the third year of Covid-19 pandemic, HEAL underlines how this exchange is a major opportunity for MEPs to demand urgent, non-ambiguous and much needed EU action to address environmental pollution, which affects everyone’s health in our society, starting with the most vulnerable.
High level panel: Why urgent action on the EU’s Zero Pollution ambition matters for health – voices from communities and vulnerable groups
Virtual, public event - moderated by Tamsin Rose. Friday, 10 December 2021, 14.30 – 16.00 CET Pollution harms our health and the environment. It is the largest environmental cause of…
EU air quality rules revision: HEAL response to the public consultation
HEAL has submitted its response to the European Commission’s public consultation on the revision of air quality rules, open until 16 December 2021. Every individual and organisation can have their…
There is no “safe level” of air pollution
Health groups call on the leaders of the Western Balkan countries to harmonize national air quality standards with the World Health Organization Global air quality guidelines. Health experts should be actively involved in these decision-making processes to ensure the timely integration of public health measures into environmental policies. Compliance with WHO recommendations brings multiple benefits – reduced incidence of chronic diseases and premature deaths, reduced overall health costs and, most importantly, better health and higher productivity of people.
The Commission must live up to its European Green Deal promise and stop subsidies to fossil fuel companies, experts warn
European climate, environmental and health NGOs have sent an open letter to the European Commission urging it to ensure that bloc-wide guidelines on energy subsidies do not allow taxpayers’ money…
Clean Air For All – on the road to revised EU air quality standards for better health
Air pollution is the largest environmental threat to health in Europe. Following new WHO recommendations, health groups urge EU and national decision-makers to fully take into account the new science…
Letter: Call for the Health Ministry to get engaged on clean air and support evidence-based air quality standards
HEAL has sent a letter to EU-27 health ministries to call on them to get engaged on clean air and support evidence-based air quality standards. Read the letter here and the…
EU’s Clean Air for Health Transition 2021-2030: HEAL 10 demands
HEAL position paper on Clean Air for Health Transition in the EU, 2021-2030, in English German French Italian Portuguese Czech Dutch Slovenian Spanish Swedish
