EU endorses international Declaration on Climate and Health at COP28 Health Day

On behalf of the EU, the Commission officially endorsed on Sunday, 3 December, an international Declaration on Climate and Health. The endorsement took place in the United Arab Emirates in the context of COP28 Health Day, during which the first ever climate-health ministerial was held, with the participation of Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight Maroš Šefčovič. Ministers discussed ways to address the burden of climate change on health and health systems, both through policy and investment.

An estimated 62,000 deaths were linked to the heatwave in Europe during the summer of 2022. In addition, rising temperatures are bringing new threats to our continent, including mosquito-and water-borne diseases. As an example of our actions to address this challenge, the Commission's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) is investing €120 million to enhance the accessibility of medical countermeasures for vector-borne diseases.

The Declaration on Climate and Health represents an international voluntary call to action to address the negative impact of climate change on human health. It is a commitment from all signatories to work towards more climate-resilient, low-carbon and sustainable health systems, and to do more to protect those most vulnerable and affected by the climate crisis.

Executive Vice-President Šefčovič said: “The climate crisis calls for a global response, in health as in every other policy area. Climate change takes a huge toll on health, in particular for those most vulnerable. This Declaration is a step towards an integrated approach between health and climate strategies, which is pivotal to ensure a sustainable future for our planet and its citizens.”

Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: “The health consequences of climate change are increasingly evident, in the EU and around the world. The EU is firmly focused on addressing the health threats of climate change through a One Health approach, and we welcome the commitment from our global partners that this is a shared responsibility. We must work together to make our health systems more climate-resilient and prepared to support the most vulnerable populations in our Health Union and globally.”