Health and Environment Alliance

For a Europe that cares for all – during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

22nd April 2020

Solidarity must be the bedrock of Europe’s response to this crisis: to fighting the pandemic and protecting all people, to managing the social and economic consequences, and to defending democracy. Solidarity goes beyond borders and should not be limited to European Union countries.

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.

HEAL welcomes the 10 commitments from Frans Timmermans, Virginijus Sinkevičius and Stella Kyriakides to act for a healthy planet for healthy people

10th October 2019

After European Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen had unveiled who will join her team during her administration, the newly-elected members of the European Parliament had a chance to test these confirmed nominees during committee hearings. So how did the European Green Deal Executive Vice-President designate, the Environment and Oceans Commissioner-designate and the Health Commissioner-designate perform and what did they commit to as a team?

HEAL questions for European Parliament hearings – Legislature 2019-2024

19th September 2019

The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) prepared a dedicated set of questions to test three of the Commissioners-designates on their commitment to act for a healthy planet for healthy people.

Why the European Parliament should reject the Commission proposed “One in, one out” principle

17th September 2019

The Green 10 is firmly against the introduction of a “One in, one out” principle for new legislation, as planned by European Commission President-Elect Ursula von der Leyen. The proposed principle calls for any new initiative that creates a burden to be compensated by relieving an equivalent existing burden in the same policy area.

10 ways to protect our health and the environment

13th September 2019

Preventing environmental pollution can save lives. There is clear scientific evidence on how environmental, chemical and air pollution as well as climate change threaten and impact our health. Europe has a real opportunity to protect and improve Europeans’ health and prevent major chronic health epidemics - here are ten ways how.

HEAL’s environmental health priorities for next EU Commission President

15th July 2019

Ahead of a major vote in the European Parliament on the future European Commission President, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) sent its priorities to the candidate for President of the European Commission designated by the Council, the German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen.

EU Court of Auditors: EU citizens’ health is still not sufficiently protected from air pollution

26th September 2018

A new report from the European Court of Auditors published on Tuesday warns that EU citizens’ health is still not sufficiently protected from air pollution. HEAL, together with four other organisation has published a position paper on the first ten years of the EU Ambient Air Quality Directive .

Ten of the largest environment organisations publish manifesto ahead of 2019 European elections

25th September 2018

The Green 10, a coalition of ten of the largest environmental organisations representing tens of millions of citizens across Europe, call on candidates for the European elections to promote a European Union that puts people and our planet first.

Joint position paper: The first ten years of the EU Ambient Air Quality Directive – an essential tool for protecting our health

13th September 2018

Interview: Un homme sain dans un environnement sain (also available in NL)

1st September 2018

Unmask my City: Global health professionals initiative for clean air

26th August 2018

The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is calling on city authorities to clean up the air in Europe and meet the WHO’s air quality guidelines as part of the “Unmask…

How the EU can lead on clean air and boost health, in Europe and worldwide

23rd August 2018

HEAL’s response to public consultation on ambient air quality

26th July 2018

Health groups call for phasing out of diesel cars as a public health imperative

27th June 2018

Dieselgate has put the high health impacts from polluting diesel cars into the public and policy-makers’ spotlight. On the occasion of a high-level debate in the European Parliament on the…

Doctors and patient groups launch Unmask My City initiative to clean up Sofia’s air

31st May 2018

A coalition of nine doctor and health organisations1 has today joined the global Unmask My City initiative, calling for greater urgency in achieving clean air in Sofia. The Bulgarian capital…

Healthy buildings, healthier people

28th May 2018

Buildings: They shape our health and well being on a daily basis regardless of whether we talk about homes, schools, workplaces, health care facilities, universities, shopping centers, or those used…

EU Commission refers 6 countries to EU court for failure to keep EU air quality standards

17th May 2018

European Commissioner Vella has referred 6 out of 9 countries to the European Court of Justice for failure to keep EU air quality standards. The 6 countries that will be…

Infographic – HEAL’s Eight demands for clean air in the European Region

17th May 2018

Letter to commissioner Vella and commissioner Andriukatis on human health and preventive action in BREFs

4th April 2018

Air Quality