EU Statement - WHA78 - Item 18.3 – Climate Change and Health
European Union
Statement
WHO
78th World Health Assembly
(19 May – 27 May 2025)
________
Item 18.3 – Climate Change and Health
________
Geneva, 26 May 2025
WHO
78th World Health Assembly
Item 18.3: Climate Change and Health
EU Statement
Chair,
Director General,
Excellencies,
Colleagues,
I am delivering this statement on behalf of the EU and its 27 Member States.
The candidate countries Türkiye, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina* and Georgia, as well as Armenia align themselves with this statement.
Climate change is driving record-breaking threats to human health, fuelling the spread of infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, malnutrition, gender inequality, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss.
Yet, at the same time, fossil fuel emissions continue to rise. This contradiction is at odds with the health community’s responsibility to protect and promote public health.
We are grateful that the WHA Resolution on Climate Change and Health was adopted with consensus and overwhelming support last year.
The EU thanks WHO for their work in drafting the new Global Plan of Action within a very tight timeframe, and look forward to its implementation, considering the need for urgent action and better preparedness. It is imperative that we adapt our health systems and societies to strengthen our climate resilience. The global health community must be equipped with the knowledge and tools to act decisively, with particular attention for those most at risk.
As EU, we recognize that the health community has a critical role to play in accelerating and shaping action, particularly as a key enabler of cross-sectoral collaboration.
Climate action can serve as a powerful health intervention, just as health initiatives can significantly advance climate goals. As health community, we therefore have a two-fold responsibility.
Firstly, promoting climate measures by positioning the health argument as a strong driver of increased climate ambition. This means stimulating broader awareness and education in climate & health, and incentivizing other sectors, such as the transport sector on active mobility and the food sector on sustainable and healthy diets. We must adopt a « Health in All Policies » approach in global, national and subnational climate policies, strategies and plans.
Brazil’s leadership at COP30 presents a unique platform for high-level showcasing of best practices and engaging political will on the climate and health issues, especially in driving momentum toward the phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies.
Second, taking health measures that help reduce pressure on the environment, reduce the health sector’s carbon footprint and promote health equity, in line with the ‘One Health’ approach. This means scaling up health promotion and prevention efforts to support vulnerable populations, reduce healthcare demands, and foster healthier, more equitable, and prosperous societies and environments. We also welcome the promotion and development of the Alliance for a Transformative Action on Climate Change and Health (ATACH).
As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement this year, the WHO can count on the EU and its Member States’ firm support in meeting this two-fold responsibility and unlocking the win-win opportunities.
Thank you.
*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.