Health aspects in the country reporting on adaptation under the Governance Regulation (2023)

In March 2023, EU Member States reported for the second time their national adaptation actions under the Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action (Article 19). Non-EU EEA member countries were invited to provide similar information on a voluntary basis. This webpage presents the key health aspects of the adaptation information reported. Extracts on health from the individual countries’ reporting are available through climate and health country profiles.  

Key messages

• In 2023, health was reported as the sector most affected by climate change impacts. 

• Most of the Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessments report a high risk of potential future impacts within the health sector.  

• Vulnerable populations are recognised as disproportionately affected by climate-related health hazards.  

• The proactive steps taken to address climate change impacts on the health sector by the countries include setting up collaborative governance structure, training and education programmes for the healthcare workers, awareness-raising and implementation of early warning systems.  

In 2023, health was reported as the sector most affected by climate change impacts  

As part of the 2023 country reporting, European countries reported that health was the sector most affected by climate change impacts. At the same time, European national and regional strategies, plans, and frameworks, point to health as a priority sector for climate change adaptation. This signals widespread recognition among European countries of the impacts of climate change on human health and the urgent need to prepare the healthcare sector to better respond to climate change impacts. 

Key affected sectors reported in 2023. Source: EEA, 2023

Most countries reported a high risk of potential future impacts.

The primary approach to identifying climate change impacts across Europe is through a Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CCRVA), which integrates data on climate hazards, vulnerable sectors, infrastructure, and demographics to identify the level of risk posed by climate change related hazards. Many countries across Europe reported that they are conducting national, local, and sector specific CCRVAs, including examining specific risks and vulnerabilities to public health and the health sector.

More than one third of countries reported a high level of observed impacts from climate change, including changes to the frequency and magnitude of events, a high likelihood of exposure to future climate related hazards, and high levels of vulnerability. The majority of countries also reported that their health sector is at medium or high risk of future climate change impacts. Croatia, Hungary, Latvia, Portugal, and Slovakia reported high levels of concern across all four categories. Some of the key climate related health hazards identified by CCRVA include outbreaks of infectious disease, heat stress, drought, flooding, and the spread of allergens.

Country reporting of climate change impacts on the health sector.

Source: Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action 2023 Reporting

Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by climate-related health hazards.

CCRVAs have also been used to identify how various demographic groups will be impacted differently by climate related health hazards. Across Europe, there is increasing recognition that the impacts of climate change will not be felt equally. Vulnerable populations, including older adults, children, people living with disabilities, medical pre-conditions, or in poverty will experience the impacts of climate change differently than members of society that live without health challenges and have access to the tools and resources required to adapt to climate related impacts. Vulnerable populations are often more exposed to climate change impacts and may lack the necessary resources to adequately respond to or mitigate climate-related risks.

This approach enables policy makers to develop targeted strategies to protect vulnerable populations from climate related hazards and public health risks. Some of the key actions taken to protect populations from climate driven health risks include the implementation of surveillance and early warning systems, community outreach and sensitization towards climate related hazards, improved public infrastructure, including blue-green infrastructure to address urban flood and heat risks, public water fountains, and the introduction of cooling centers.

Countries across Europe are taking proactive steps to address climate change impacts on the health sector.

European countries are planning and implementing adaptation measures that take into consideration the impacts of climate change on human health. The countries, for example Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Germany or Portugal, report on cooperation through working groups, commissions and other governance structures bringing public authorities and other stakeholders working on health and climate change together and aiming at greater policy integration.

In countries such as Ireland, Finland, and Sweden, sectoral health adaptation plans have been developed. Moreover, in Austria and Bulgaria, climate-related topics have been integrated into the curriculum and continuing education of medical care providers, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. The goal of this is to enhance the ability of healthcare professionals to respond to and treat climate related health impacts as well as respond to new and emerging climate related health challenges.

Many countries, including Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany and Poland have implemented programs to enhance public awareness of climate change related health impacts, including how to improve personal preparedness at home. Several countries have also implemented monitoring and early warning systems to alert the public, employers, as well as the health sector of potential climate change related impacts and emergencies. Early warning systems are designed to alert authorities of flood risk, extreme temperatures, allergens, or the presents of pathogens or infectious diseases to enable time for a proactive response. In some jurisdictions, early warning systems inform when to open cooling centres, evacuate people living in flood zones, or close recreational bathing spots due to the presence of bacteria.   

Country reporting includes examples of actions taken to address various climate risks to health in residential, workplace and healthcare settings

The most frequently listed examples of actions are focused on managing the health risks from high temperatures and monitoring the infectious (particularly vector-borne) diseases, followed by addressing flood-related health issues.

In Germany, integration of climate change risks to health is ongoing in occupational health and safety provisions.  In Finland, provisions on factors relating to residential building temperature conditions that are affected by the changing climate are laid on. In Austria, Guideline Heat Action Plan supports medical and care facilities in developing and establishing their own heat plans.

The countries include examples of adaptation plans with focus on health at the sub-national level, for example in Italy, Poland, Portugal, or Romania.

Further information

More information is available through climate and health country profile.