Keeping healthy in a changing climate - Launch of the European Climate and Health Observatory

Climate change is already having an impact on people’s health and health systems, directly and indirectly. Extreme weather events; growing heat stress; wildfires, floods and landslides; food and water safety and security threats; and the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, are expected to generate serious health risks and amplify existing health problems. To understand, anticipate and minimize the health threats caused by climate change, the European Commission and the European Environment Agency, together with other key players in the field, launched the European Climate and Health Observatory. The Observatory is the first concrete deliverable of the European Commission’s new Adaptation Strategy, which was published on 24 February 2021.

This Policy Dialogue promoted discussion on the interlinkages between climate change and health, the goals and tools of the European Climate and Health Observatory, and how it can provide value for different users in the future. Taking part in the interactive panel discussion were experts from observatory partner organisations and user groups.

Opening remarks by Mauro Petriccione, Director-General, DG CLIMA, European Commission; Pierre Delsaux, Deputy Director-General, DG SANTE, European Commission; Hans Bruyninckx, Executive Director, European Environment Agency

Panel Discussion: Ian Hamilton, Executive Director, the Lancet Countdown; Carlo Buontempo, Director, Copernicus Climate Change Service; Jan Semenza, Head of the Health Determinants Programme, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control; Angelo Maggiore, Scientific Officer, European Food Safety Authority; Alice Chapman-Hatchett, President, European Public Health Alliance; Marina Romanello, Data Scientist, the Lancet Countdown

Moderator: Annika Hedberg, Head of the EPC Sustainable Prosperity for Europe Programme