HEAL response to the call for evidence on the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act
HEAL has responded to the call for evidence on the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act - find the full response.
Letter to MEPs: People’s health at the centre of EU climate policy beyond 2030
Ahead of a European Parliament debate in which MEPs will be considering the ambition of the European climate policy for the next two decades, HEAL has sent a letter highlighting that the decisions taken will either increase the health burden from climate change or help prevent health impacts.
Letter to EU environment ministers: People’s health at the centre of EU climate policy beyond 2030
Ahead of an informal ministerial meeting on 10-11 July, at which EU environment ministers will be considering the ambition of the European climate policy for the next two decades, HEAL has sent a letter highlighting that the decisions ministers take will either increase the health burden from climate change or help prevent health impacts.
Press release – The EU’s climate target lacks the urgency needed to protect people – health groups call on member states to step up
The EU’s proposed 2040 climate target to reduce domestic emissions by 90% - while allowing up to 3% to be met through international carbon credits – risks undermining health protections. The Health and Environment Alliance calls on member states to strengthen their climate commitments in order to protect health, rather than delay and weaken overdue action.
Letter to EU environment ministers: Health at the centre of EU climate mitigation and adaptation measures
HEAL has sent a letter to EU environment ministers ahead of an Environment Council meeting on 17 June 2025, where ministers will be considering the EU's 2040 climate ambition as well as preparedness and adaption needs. The letter calls on ministers to step up in placing health protection at the centre of EU climate policies.
Letter to MEPs: Pollution and health – 7 May plenary vote on A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world
HEAL has sent a letter to MEPs, regarding their upcoming vote on A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world.
HEAL position paper on the next EU budget 2028-2034
As the policy deliberations on the next EU budget for 2028-2034, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), have started, HEAL considers it crucial that health protection from climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution is at the core of spending and investment priorities.
Soaring costs and health burden of climate inaction
The newly released European State of the Climate 2024 annual report (ESOTC), co-published by the European Union’s Copernicus Earth observation program and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), confirms what public health experts have long warned about: the health costs of climate change in Europe are rising fast, and so is the human toll.
Letter to EP BUDG committee on A revamped Long-term Budget for the Union in a Changing World
On 23 April, the European Parliament's BUDG committee is set to vote on the BUDG INI report on A Revamped Long-term Budget for the Union in a changing world, the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). HEAL has sent a letter to members of the committee.
EP ENVI and FEMM committees send strong signal for financing health protection from climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution
This week, two important committees in the European Parliament – ENVI (Environment Climate and Food Safety) and FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality) – adopted their opinion for an upcoming European Parliament resolution on A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world.
The next EU budget: Strengthening financing for zero pollution, climate resilience and disease prevention
In the coming months, EU institutions will negotiate the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The MFF is the EU’s long-term budget, usually covering a seven-year period. It details the public spending for different areas of EU policies, including environment and climate action.
The Clean Industrial Deal needs to be a zero-pollution deal
Against the backdrop of an ever-growing body of evidence on the health impacts and cost of people's exposure to pollution, HEAL is concerned that the Clean Industrial Deal misses the opportunity to set the EU on the path for swift and significant pollution reduction and disease prevention. To work for people in the EU and their health, the Clean Industrial Deal needs to be a zero pollution deal, with three principles at its core.
Reducing the health cost of climate change: what needs to be done?
In all mitigation and adaptation measures to 2040 which are currently being considered by EU decisionmakers (Proposal of a 90% CO2 reduction target for 2040; EU Climate Adaptation Plan), health needs to be at the core.
Strengthening Polish climate and energy transformation efforts for better health
More than 40 non-governmental organisations, including HEAL, are calling on the Polish Prime Minister to enhance coordination among 12 ministries in preparing the National Energy and Climate Plan and implementing Poland's energy and climate transition.
Joint letter to EU Commission President: Protect people, nature, and democracy in EU regulations
In a joint letter, more than 270 civil society organisations, trade unions, consumer groups, farmers organisations, civil rights groups, health and environmental organisations representing millions of citizens, call on European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen to shun deregulation and prioritise the protection of people, nature, and democracy in its decision-making processes.
Polish Public Health Council publishes first-ever position on the health impact of air pollution and climate change
HEAL in Poland welcomed the first position (in Polish) of the Public Health Council on the steps necessary to reduce the exposure of people in Poland air pollution and the effects of climate change. The Public Health Council is an advisory body to the Minister of Health. Their positioning is particularly important in the context of the revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) which entered into force on 10 December 2024.
HEAL assessment of the trio hearings of Vice-President-designate Ribera, Vice-President-designate Séjourné and Commissioner-designate Hoekstra
Over the past days, MEPs held confirmation hearings with Vice-President-designate Ribera, Vice-President-designate Séjourné and Commissioner-designate Hoekstra, whose complementary and mutually enabling portfolios respectively focus on “Clean, Just and Competitive Transition”, “Prosperity and Industrial Strategy” and “Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth”. HEAL was encouraged to see strong coherence among the three designates on their shared commitment to protecting health against this triple crisis.
HEAL assessment of the hearing of Commissioner-designate Olivér Várhelyi
Yesterday, MEPs held a confirmation hearing with Commissioner-designate Várhelyi, whose portfolio includes health and animal welfare.
HEAL assessment of the hearing of Commissioner-designate Jessika Roswall
Yesterday, MEPs held the confirmation hearing with Commissioner-designate Roswall, whose portfolio focuses on environment, water resilience and a competitive circular economy.
CSO statement: The EU Commission must provide guarantees on climate, nature and public health
Together with 180+ organisations, HEAL cal on the EU Commission to provide guarantees on climate, nature and public health, ensuring the protection of people.
