WHO Europe countries repeat pledge to address climate change health impacts

(EurActiv, 10 Jul 2023) Ministers of Health and Environment of the WHO European Region recognised the need for further action to fight climate change that affects human health by signing the Budapest declaration on Friday (7 July).

Lawmakers recognised their alarm “by the substantial and persistent burden of ill health due to environmental risk factors” in the Seventh WHO European Region Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health celebrated in Budapest (5-7 July), where they discussed the future and the priorities of the region, focusing on addressing the health dimensions of the environmental crisis. 

As evidenced in the European Sustainable Development Report 2022, since the COVID pandemic, the progress towards the objectives of the Agenda 2030 has stalled. 

To stir the conversation, they signed the Budapest Declaration, a series of commitments to promote a clean, safe and healthy built environment. 

In it, lawmakers commit to “accelerate the just transition towards resilient, healthy, equitable and sustainable societies, taking into account the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic”. 

The text prioritises action on health challenges related to climate change. Highlighting the need to strengthen the health sector’s engagement and put environmental factors at the centre of the global health agenda.

The declaration also includes recommendations to improve the climate literacy of health workers, decarbonise health systems, implement appropriate waste management, and switch to zero-emission transport systems.

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EurActiv, 10 Jul 2023: WHO Europe countries repeat pledge to address climate change health impacts