Enhancing the EU’s resilience to deal with climate change

An accompanying document outlines the main issues relating to human health and describes actions that are currently being undertaken and outlines future steps for action at Community and Member State level.

Given that climate change will have significant economic and social impacts, it is important that any policy addressing the consequences of climate change incorporates action to address the profound effects on human health. The Commission’s White Paper recognises the fact that, as extreme weather events become more frequent, weather-related deaths and diseases could rise. Furthemore, there will be a wider social impact of climate change as a result of its effect on agriculture, the food supply chain, and the transport sector.

The challenge presented in the White Paper is two-fold. On the one hand the Commission outlines actions that need to be taken to reduce further climate change such as a further reduction of carbon emmissions. On the other hand, the White Paper undelines the need to develop and implement policies to ensure adaptation to ensure a healthy, effectively-functioning and climate change-resilient socety.

The White Paper presents a strong argument for action at all levels, and emphasises the role of the EU when the impact of climate change transcends the boundaries of individual countries. Solidarity between Member States is also a key message from the White Paper to guarantee that disadvantage regions and communities are capable of taking action needed to adapt.

The accompanying working document stresses that climate change does not create significant new or unknown health threats, but is likely to increase the interaction between environment and human health with stronger and more pronounced effects than previously seen. The effect can be direct, e.g the physiological effects of heat and cold, or indirect. The indirect impacts of climate change may include forced migration, the increased transmission of food or vector-borne diseases. Given the geographical make up of the European Union, the way in which the health impact of climate is experienced will vary within and between countries.

The impact assessment that was carried out suggests that, for health, the maintaining/ strengthening of public health infrastructure is often viewed as the “most important, cost-effective and urgently needed” adaptation strategy. This includes the reinforcement of public health policies that recognise climate risk, public health training, more effective surveillance and emergency response systems, and sustainable prevention and control programs. The education of public and health professionals as to the impact of climate change should also be a priority.

Adaptation to climate change is a long process, it is positive to see that policy to address it will have a health focus. Mitigating the health inequalities that might result from climate change should be a priority and work at an EU level should focus on coordinating actions ensuring that they are complementary across Member States.

For more information

 DG Environment

Related EPHA articles

 "Protecting Health from Climate Change" - World Health Day, 7 April 2008
 The Second Citizens AGORA: Climate Change.
 Strengthening health systems to control the health effects of climate change, report says
 Climate change and health

Related documents

White Paper on Adapting to Climate Change

Commission Working Paper