Climate change remains one of the most urgent health challenges, with recent regional and global developments further elevating the imperative for action.
The Working Group on Health in Climate Change (HIC), established under the European Environment and Health Task Force, helps to advance the implementation of the 2023 Budapest Declaration’s commitments by convening countries and stakeholders, sharing evidence and practical tools, catalysing initiatives and synergies, and coordinating activities at the regional level.
The twelfth meeting of the HIC Working Group will update participants on these developments, reflect on the implications of the current geopolitical environment, and provide a platform for countries to share experiences and lessons learned.
Background
The 2024 World Health Assembly resolution on climate change and health and the first Global Action Plan on Climate Change and Health (2025–2028), endorsed at the World Health Assembly this June, provide a clear global roadmap for Member States and WHO. In parallel, the second European Programme of Work (2026–2030) will place climate action at the centre of WHO/Europe’s strategic pillars.
In June 2025 WHO/Europe launched the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health as an independent advisory group to raise the political profile of climate change and build awareness and support for stronger action.
The Environment and Health Process (EHP) Partnership for Health Sector Climate Action, launched at the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in 2023, has formed a regional community of practice for countries to exchange approaches, experiences and lessons learned in developing climate-resilient, sustainable, low-carbon health systems.
Objectives
Specifically, the meeting will:
- provide information on ongoing global and regional initiatives, including the 30th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), the 2025 Belém Health Action Plan for the Adaptation of the Health Sector to Climate Change, the work of the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health, and the second European Programme of Work;
- present preliminary findings from the 2025 WHO Health and Climate Change Global Survey that are relevant for the WHO European Region;
- share the work of the EHP Partnership for Health Sector Climate Action, with insights from recent activities and country experiences;
- summarize outcomes of regional conferences on climate change and health;
- share lessons learned from recent initiatives in various countries on heat–health action, climate risk assessment, climate literacy, mental health, and climate-resilient and sustainable health systems; and
- discuss mechanisms to strengthen collaboration among HIC members and support the development of future joint activities.