ENBEL - linking climate scientists and health researchers and engaging with decision-makers

“ENBEL has first and foremost contributed to making links between climate scientists and health researchers. Enhanced collaboration between these communities is needed to provide integrated and evidence-based policy advice for mitigating the impacts of climate change on human health,” said ENBEL coordinator Kristin Aunan from CICERO Center for International Climate Research at the launch of a new film about the project.

The latest film from the ENBEL project highlights the impact that the consortium has had in connecting climate and health research with policymaking.

Since 2020 the ENBEL project has succeeded in bringing together 17 partner institutions and bolstering 12 research projects, generating knowledge to spur actionable change in the policymaking of businesses and governments worldwide.

Kristin Aunan, ENBEL coordinator and research director at CICERO Center for International Climate Research, said, “The purpose of ENBEL has been to bring together researchers from many different climate change and health research projects to enhance the impact of those individual projects on policymaking to help shape low-carbon climate resilient societies,” she said.

“Systematic use of science is needed to design and test adaptation policies that address also the most vulnerable and hard to reach groups. Unfortunately, data that enables research that helps understanding and preventing health risks is lacking in many regions of the world, “ she added.

The ENBEL project, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme came to and end 31 January 2024. However, the collaborations within the network will continue and the results will be further shared and used.

“There is a need for government authorities to provide guidance regarding the integration of health in climate policies. This is needed not the least to ensure adaptation and mitigation action go hand-in-hand and co-benefits across measures are harvested,” Aunan said.

The film was made for ENBEL by La Isla Network and Talking Eyes Media with cinematography by Ed Kashi and editing and direction by Jason Glaser and Yorgos Paterakis.

Knowledge outputs from the project such as policy briefs, research factsheets series, videos, educational films and more can be found on www.enbel-knowledge.eu