Conference on Health impacts of climate change: Advancing the European adaptation agenda to 2030
The policy conference Health impacts of climate change: Advancing the European adaptation agenda to 2030 that took place in Brussels 19 September 2023 brought together policy- and decision-makers, practitioners, experts and researchers to share evidence on health impacts of climate change and discuss how to advance the European adaptation agenda.
Download the programme or see it below.
Did you miss the conference or want to see it again? Recording of the conference is available here:
Key messages for policy from presenters at the conference
Kristin Aunan, Research Director, CICERO Center for International Climate Research, Norway: Connecting climate and health research - outcomes and identified knowledge gaps from the ENBEL project
Given the current trends of global warming it is increasingly important that the science community delivers in a timely and policy relevant manner evidence on the health impacts that are already observable, impacts that are in the pipeline and to what extent climate policies may reduce future health risks. The ENBEL project and its partners aims to make its contribution to that end.
We should not forget that as of today, air pollution is the largest environmental killer, globally as well as in Europe. It is becoming more and more evident that air quality and climate change must be tackled together.
Greenhouse gas emission mitigation and adaptation must go hand-in-hand to protect human health in all regions of the world and to minimize trade-offs and avoid maladaptation.
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Andreas Flouris, University of Thessaly, Greece : Heat effects on workers in Europe (HEAT-SHIELD project)
Up to 2015, there was a lack of knowledge in Europe on the health and productivity impacts of occupational heat stress and how to address this problem.
The HEAT-SHIELD project has produced large amounts of evidence showing that European workers suffer many health risks due to occupational heat stress. Also, their productivity is significantly reduced, costing the EU more than 800 billion euros per year.
We now have the tools, strategies, and systems to address occupational heat stress. It's time to move to turning these into effective legislation to address health risks and minimize productivity losses across the EU.
Vincent Pagiwa, University of Botswana and Caroline Muthoni, Aga Khan University, Kenya: Accelerating Climate Change & Health Agenda in Africa through Networking (The CHANCE network - ENBEL project)
Strong coordination and engagement is crucial for impactful action.
Mainstream climate change into health research and implementation
Technical and financial support is a high priority to achieving adaptive capacity
Science presentation
Alexandra Schneider, Helmholtz Munich, Germany: Heat and air pollution – a joint threat for health (EXHAUSTION project)
Atmospheric environmental exposures do not affect humans in isolation, instead they are exposed to a mix of environmental factors; therefore, a comprehensive view on multi-exposures, such as air pollutants and thermal exposure, is essential.
The interplay of environmental factors is complex – among each other, but also with individual factors.
The alignment of new air pollution limit values with the latest WHO Air Quality Guidelines will lead to immediate improvements in health and prevention and help significantly in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Science presentation
Grace Turner, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK: A missed opportunity for adaptation? The role of COVID-19 recovery for climate change adaptation and health system resilience in Europe (ENBEL project)
EU Member State Resilience and Recovery Plans need to be monitored to evaluate benefits for climate change and health system resilience.
Increase allocation of expenditure and resources for climate and health adaptation.
Improve alignment and training of public health professionals to increase understanding of climate and health.
Overcome barriers which limit implementation of climate adaptation including improving data and evidence sharing for collaboration between disciplines, departments and government.
Download full presentation.
Download the policy brief that is the basis for this presentation.
Cartoons for ENBEL by BETJE
Science presentation
Tilly Alcayna, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre: Climate financing for local health adaptation
Adaptation finance which fulfills and goes beyond obligations under UNFCCC must be mobilised as quickly as possible.
Advocacy, research, and actions must prioritise countries with high health vulnerability.
Funding should be channelled to support the implementation of health national adaptation plans (HNAPs), and engagement with adaptation leads within Ministry of Health.
Download full presentation.
Download the policy brief that is the basis for this presentation.
Science presentation
Sari Kovats, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK: Climate change and inequality – how can adaptation protect the most vulnerable
Climate hazards currently disrupt health interventions and are undermining global health strategies.
Adaptation requires evidence for best methods to address inequalities – hard to reach groups.
Capacity strengthening in environmental public health research and practice is essential for successful adaptation.
Science presentation
Jason Glaser, La Isla Network, USA: Workers and heat stress in occupational settings – implications for policy response
We need to protect workers abroad from heat stress and its consequences in supply chains serving the EU Market and laborers through development investment and programming.
It is essential that development investments and programs do not inadvertently cause harm to laborers who are essential to such activities. This has been an issue in infrastructure programs and in lending to private industry and is addressable through robust review of current investments and programs by OSH professionals.
Leading practices exist abroad at centers of excellence such as the Adelante and PREP program in Nicaragua, while perhaps surprising to EU audience nothing exists within EU or the USA that is nearly as advanced in providing and testing effective worker protections against climate change and heat stress. Developing centers of excellence in the EU for at risk industries should be a priority.
Too Hot To Thrive: Effects of high ambient temperatures on pregnant women and newborns - film shown at the conference
Check out our knowledge outputs including our policy briefs at the ENBEL knowledge platform www.enbel-knowledge.eu
The conference was organized by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), CICERO Center for International Climate Research, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Lazio Regional Health Service as a part of the ENBEL project.
The ENBEL project is funded by EU’s Horizon 2020 programme and has gathered partners from 12 different research projects on climate change and health across the world. Through various networking activities, synthesizing of outputs from the projects, and by translating the knowledge into actionable policy advice we aim to bring lessons from the research projects to the table of decision makers in Europe and beyond.
Presentations that were held can be found here:
Climate financing for local health adaptation - Tilly Alcayna, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre
Heat effects on workers in Europe - Andreas Flouris, University of Thessaly
Climate change is the biggest health threat of the 21st century and its effects increasingly occur in Europe, too. As extreme weather events and health impacts intensify, the urgency to act on adaptation and mitigation increases.
This conference shareed new knowledge and insights from science on health and climate change. Topics ranged from health impacts on environmental and occupational heat, air pollution, infectious disease to inequalities. Researchers and experts, provided recommendations for evidence-based policy-making to better protect health.
PROGRAMME
Opening of the policy conference
Moderator: Anne Stauffer, Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL)
09:00-09:10 Welcome and opening
Kristin Aunan, Research Director, CICERO Center for International Climate Research, Norway
09:10-09:20 Keynote address
Elina Bardram, Director, DG Climate Action, European Commission
09:20-09:30 Keynote address
Philippe Roux, Head of Unit, DG Health and Food Safety, European Commission
Setting the scene of climate change impacts on health - stories from the field
09:30-09:35 Heat effects on health in Africa
Too Hot to Thrive: Narratives from community members on heats effect in pregnancy, postpartum and neonates
Adelaide Lusambili, Environment and Health Governance Centre, Africa International University, Kenya, (CHAMNHA project)
09:35-09:40 Heat effects on workers in Europe
Andreas Flouris, University of Thessaly, Greece (HEAT-SHIELD project)
09:40-09:45 Tackling health adaptation challenges at an institutional level
Colin O’Hehir, Head of Climate Change Unit, Department of Health, Ireland
Key recommendations
09:50-10:00 Accelerating Climate Change & Health Agenda in Africa through Networking
Vincent Pagiwa, University of Botswana and Caroline Muthoni, Aga Khan University, Kenya (ENBEL project)
10:00-10:10 Connecting climate and health research - outcomes and identified knowledge gaps from the ENBEL project
Kristin Aunan, CICERO Center for International Climate Research
10:15-10:30 Coffee break
Tackling the health impacts of climate change: Which EU action is needed?
10:30-10:40 Science presentation: Heat and air pollution – a joint threat for health
Alexandra Schneider, Helmholtz Munich, Germany (EXHAUSTION project)
10:40-10:45 Science presentation: A missed opportunity for adaptation? The role of COVID-19 recovery for climate change adaptation and health system resilience in Europe
Grace Turner, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK (ENBEL project)
10:45-11:40 Panel discussion: Tackling the health impacts of climate change: which EU action is needed?
Aleksandra Kazmierczak, European Environment Agency (EEA)
Miriam Weber, WHO Healthy cities network/Utrecht
Lucas Demuelenaere, City of Brussels-Capital Region
Moderated by Anne Stauffer, Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL)
11:40-11:45 Interactive exercise
Fleur Monasso, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre
Addressing climate health vulnerability in Europe, Africa and beyond – what can the EU do?
11:45-11:50 Science presentation: Climate financing for local health adaptation
Tilly Alcayna, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre
11:50-11:55 Science presentation: Climate change and inequality – how can adaptation protect the most vulnerable
Sari Kovats, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
11:55-12:00 Science presentation: Workers and heat stress in occupational settings – implications for policy response
Jason Glaser, La Isla Network, USA
12:00-12:30 Panel discussion: Addressing climate health vulnerability in Europe, Africa and beyond – what can the EU do?
Chiara Martinelli, Director, Climate Action Network Europe
Mette Petersen, Director of the Red Cross EU Office
Hans Stausboll, DG International Partnerships, European Commission (Africa - Acting Director)
Moderated by Fleur Monasso, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre
12:30-12:35 Concluding remarks Anne Stauffer, HEAL
12:35-14:00 Networking lunch
14:00-16:30 Film screening
Screening and discussion of the film “Too Hot To Work”
Director: Mikaël Lefrançois France, 2023
“Too Hot To Work” is taking the audience around the world on a tour of the current state of labor in extreme heat. The film explores how heat is endangering workers’ health and how it affects productivity, incomes, and businesses. It also delves into how a warmer climate may transform the way we work and how workers, businesses, and governments adapt to this growing risk.
