ASPHER Climate and Health Competencies for Public Health Professionals in Europe Guide

Due to the complexity of climate change, it is essential that future generations of public health professionals have the knowledge to be able to work on and address the uncertainties faced currently. Considering the need for Health in All Policies, public health professionals need to engage with various stakeholders in the debate on the intricate pathways of direct and indirect adverse effects of climate change on health. Public health graduates who have had training in climate change and health can also influence educational institutions from within (Krasna et al., 2020) and reduce the risks and impacts of climate change for European citizens’ health and well-being, by bringing skills and knowledge to the public health workforce. It would mean that universities can contribute to achieving the Union’s 2030 and 2050 goals by including climate and health education in public health curricula.

This guide includes a set of climate and health competencies for public health professionals in the European Region, which can be used to shape educational curricula. It lists a set of climate-health competencies for public health professionals active in Europe, organized in four domains:

1. Knowledge and Analytical Skills
2. Communication and advocacy
3. Collaboration and partnership
4. Policy