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Working Group on Health in Climate Change (WHO/Europe)

The Working Group on Health in Climate Change (HIC) was established in 2012 under the mandate of the European Environment and Health Task Force (EHTF) at the request of the Member States of the WHO European Region to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change. EHTF is the leading international body for implementation and monitoring of the European Environment and Health Process, in particular of the commitments laid down in the Ostrava Declaration on Environment and Health.

The Ostrava Declaration stipulates the development of national portfolios of actions on environment and health by the end of 2018, including actions on “strengthening adaptive capacity and resilience to health risks related to climate change and supporting measures to mitigate climate change and achieve health co-benefits in line with the Paris Agreement”.

The HIC Working Group consists of nominated representatives of Member States and partners. It facilitates dialogue and cooperation among the Member States in the WHO European Region and other stakeholders, as well as communication and implementation of commitments to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change. Specifically, the Working Group promotes and advocates integration of health considerations in national climate change mitigation and adaptation policies and acts as a catalyst in promoting, implementing and monitoring climate change and health commitments in the Ostrava Declaration at international, national and subnational levels. HIC provides a platform for exchange of experiences and innovations, promotion of tools, communication of evidence and demonstrating good practices in climate change and health and encourages partnership among countries and stakeholders.

Further information:

European Environment and Health Process (EHP)

Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health

Declaration of the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health (2017)

Working Group on Health in Climate Change (HIC)