Climate Change and Health an EU perspective.

1. Climate Change and Health an EU perspective. Christian Farrar-Hockley Policy Officer Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL) Local Authorities Protecting Health and Climate Change @ World Health Editors Network Geneva 23-24 January 2008

2. Who we are Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL) an international not-for-profit, non governmental network that aims to improve health through EU public policy that promotes a cleaner environment and sustainable development • Created in 2003 by members of the European Public Health Alliance, thus the former name EPHA Environment Network (EEN) • Member of the Green 10 (see www.green10.org)

3. Environmental Health The Richard Dimbleby Lecture 2007: Dr J Craig Venter – A DNA-Driven World “Being an optimist I believe that we can ultimately solve the health care issue. But the fundamental problem facing our planet - that of climate change - is one that is far more grave. In fact, unless we tackle this head on, health care could be the least of our worries.” Climate change and health: preparing for unprecedented challenges, Dr Margaret ChanDirector-General of the World Health Organization I believe that climate change will ride across this landscape as the fifth horseman. It will increase the power of the four horsemen that rule over war, famine, pestilence, and death – those ancient adversaries that have affected health and human progress since the beginning of recorded history.

4. Talk today • Why Local Authorities are so important. • Health Care and Prevention (synergies and unknowns) • Health Care Systems Mitigation/Adaptation/Development • Practical guidance on Adaptation for Local Authorities (some examples) • The way forward.

5. The Dilemma Cure <-> Prevention EU China Health and Well-Being Climate Change Growth and Jobs Contraction Convergence Social Change

6. Environment v Public Health Messages • We are not trying to save the planet, we are ensuring our (and other species) ability to live on it.

7. INTERNATIONAL HEALTH and CC • ODA is changing to deal with CC • UNFCCC report on Adaptation – looks at WSDs and CC • How does health WSDs fit in CC (adapation and mitigation)? • Looks like the polluter will not pay! • Predict and Prevent • www.google.org

8. Framework for Healthy Transport

9. Good for Health and Environment

10. Good for Environment and Health? • Junkscience.com • Every home a Superfund site? “Mercury is highly toxic to everyone, but particularly to children and developing fetuses,” says the activist group Environmental Defense, a long-time campaigner against mercury from power plant emissions and in automobile convenience lighting.So it came as quite a surprise when the group began advocating that consumers bring the “highly toxic” mercury into their homes in the form of compact fluorescent light bulbs in order to reduce power plant CO2 emissions. CFLs are so hazardous, according to public health officials however, that special safety precautions must be taken for disposal or if the bulbs break. • 31st 11:26 GMT +00:00 • Smoking bans and climate change • Posted by: • The Economist | BRUSSELS • Categories: • Smoking bans • ARE SMOKING bans bad for the environment? The thought pops up, while reading screeds of newspaper articles about the ban on smoking in the bars, restaurants and clubs of France, that will come into force at midnight tonight. Many of the articles, especially in the French press, focus on the ways in which restaurateurs and bar-owners hope to continue

11. Mitigation and Local Health Care • Mitigation - reduce CO2 emission (energy efficiency and reduced resource use) - start with low hanging fruit (Audit, Switch off, Reset, CHP, Public Procurement, ISO or EMAS.) • Biggest Problem is that Health Care Providers feels they are exempt so after the win-wins to the “carbon-neutral” they do not look further: e.g. Norway - Green Ambulances and ECO driving for Ambulance Service, Adenbrook’s Hospital UK “Travel Plan” - they are not mutually exclusive “Health Care for All” • Lack of knowledge on what works and coordination. No mention of CC Health expenditure per capita, public and private, 2005 (OECD)

12. A few examples www.energiesparendes-krankenhaus.de Hospital Energy Certification by BUND CRITERIA • 25 % Reduction of CO2 • Continuous reduction of energy consumption • Long-term optimal energy consumption • Implementation of an energy management • 20 hospitals certified

13. Does this cover it!! 6. Human development Environmental quality in human settlements and work places: waste management (including domestic waste) and sanitation; noise; clean water, air quality (ambient and indoor); exposure to chemicals and heavy metals; occupational health hazards; vectors and water-borne diseases; overcrowding. Climate change (impact on health and safety) and ozone depletion. Environmental disasters (impact on health and safety).

14. EU Conscious European Hospitals

15. Health Care Sector www.energiesparendes-krankenhaus.de www.noharm.org www.gghc.org www.eu-hospitals.net www.greeninghealthcare.net www.carbontrust.co.uk/carbon/nhs/

16. HEAL and Upcoming Events • ERS/HENVINET meeting on air pollution and health • HEAL list serve on HEALTH and CC • HEAL EU advocacy on HEALTH and CC. • HEAL EU advocacy on CC and Adaptation • HEAL & EUREGHA (committee of the regions) - Climate change and the challenges for public health: engaging the regions, July 2008. • Best Practice Award for Health Sector on CC. • Health delegation to UNFCCC COP 13.

17. To stay below 2 degrees C • Global GHG emissions (+3%/a 2005) have to peak and decline in next 10 to 15 years • Global GHG emissions have to be reduced by >>50% below 1990 levels by 2050 - This translates into ~100% for industrialised countries incl EU • EU needs to reduce GHG by at least 30% domestically by 2020 and in addition contribute to at least 15% further global emissions reductions towards clean energy development and reduced deforestation in poor countries with no GHG caps.

18. Http://www.env-health.org