A new era in global climate change and human health research funding and action – EC

Abstract

Background: The European Commission has launched several recent initiatives on climate change and health. The European Climate and Health Observatory aims to support Europe in preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change on human health by providing access to relevant information and tools. Additionally, the EU Mission Adaptation to Climate Change was recently launched with the goal to support European regions and communities towards climate resilience by 2030. Methods: The Observatory aims to provide easy access to a wide range of relevant publications, tools, websites, and other resources related to climate change and human health. The Observatory is a partnership between the European Commission, the European Environment Agency (EEA) and several other organizations. It contributes to the European Green Deal and the EU4Health vision for a healthier European Union. The Mission will foster the development of innovative solutions to adapt to climate change and encourage regions, cities and communities to lead the societal transformation. Large-scale demonstrators, a key element of the Mission, will feature examples of breakthrough innovations implemented in real life such as floodplain restoration, vertical farming, or prototyping of insurance approaches. Regions, cities and local authorities will steer the process to build climate resilience "on the ground” in an inclusive way, engaging with local stakeholders, the civil society, the business community, industry, research organizations, and citizens. Results: The Mission will foster the development of innovative solutions to adapt to climate change and encourage regions, cities and communities to lead the societal transformation. Large-scale demonstrators, a key element of the Mission, will feature examples of breakthrough innovations implemented in real life such as floodplain restoration, vertical farming, or prototyping of insurance approaches. Regions, cities and local authorities will steer the process to build climate resilience "on the ground” in an inclusive way, engaging with local stakeholders, the civil society, the business community, industry, research organizations, and citizens. Conclusions: The EU Mission support will be provided in different ways by helping European regions and communities better understand, prepare for and manage climate risks and opportunities; working with at least 150 European regions and communities to accelerate their transformation toward climate resilience, and delivering at least 75 large-scale demonstrators of systemic transformations on the ground. The Observatory already includes the 38 EEA Member and cooperating countries and hundreds of resources from 1988 through present. Keywords: Climate change; public health; climate resilience