Health and Environment Alliance | Climate and Energy

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.

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.

Turkish Parliament will vote about polluting coal power plants next week

1st February 2019

Incentives and pollution exemptions given to the privatised coal power plants can be extended until 2021, threatening health The Turkish government has already vowed to increase its coal-fired power generation…

Coal phase out for health overdue

10th December 2018

A new briefing by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) (also available in German and and Turkish) demonstrates that 50% of the global lignite mining and use is taking place in Europe. Lignite coal – also called brown coal – is a form of coal that is highly inefficient and polluting. Assessing lignite and hard coal over their life cycles shows that lignite is the most health harming form of coal and should be abolished as soon as possible.

End Coal for Healthy Energy, Healthy People and the Climate

20th November 2018

With our members, partners and our network, HEAL is working to tackle climate change as the public health challenge of the 21st century. In order to reach a healthy energy…

Healthy mobility in cities – a win-win for climate, air quality and our health

16th November 2018

A new HEAL initiative aims to shed light on how transport systems and the way mobility is organised in cities impacts our health, and outline which policy measures should be prioritised to prevent disease and ill-health.

Letter to Commissioner Cañete by CSOs Requesting Continued Support for Energy Community 2030 EE/RES/GHG Targets

26th September 2018

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.

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

1st September 2018

Call to protect people’s health as permitting of new coal power projects accelerates in Turkey, including in Eskisehir city

17th July 2018

Health groups are concerned about the acceleration of permissions for new coal power plants fuelled with lignite and importated coal, with the approval of two impact assessment (EIA) reports and…

Statement of the Coalition for Higher Ambition

12th June 2018

Industrial competitiveness as ’societal challenge’? Ensuring accountability and societal impact in Horizon Europe

7th June 2018

Increase in number of Coal Power Plants in Canakkale City, Turkey puts air quality and health at risk

6th June 2018

Brussels – The city of Canakkale in Turkey is not only famous with its Galipoli and Troia wars, it is unfortunately also a coal and health hotspot in the country. In…

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…