Health as a Lever for Action on Climate Change
On April 8, 2022, IANPHI and Santé publique France, the French public health agency and the IANPHI member hosting our Secretariat, held a one-day event dedicated to climate change and public health, titled "Health as a Lever for Action on Climate Change". Organized on the occasion of the French presidency of the Council of the European Union, the event was attended by 1,100 public health professionals, environmental professionals, decision-makers, researchers and stakeholders.
22 panelists discussed the interconnections between climate, biodiversity and health, how to improve their integration in public policies and how to encourage action. Dr. Valérie Masson-Delmottem, who chairs the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, opened the event. IANPHI President Duncan Selbie spoke about the role of national public health institutes in climate and health and the IANPHI Climate Roadmap. Dr. Revati Phalkey from the UK Health Security Agency, who is also the vice-chair of the IANPHI Thematic Committee on Climate Change and Health, made a presentation about COP26 health commitments.
"Discussions today confirmed the need for a multi-sectoral approach in order for [climate change] mitigation and adaptation strategies to integrate health dimensions," said Professor Geneviève Chêne, chief executive of Santé publique France and member of the IANPHI Executive Board, thanking both panelists and participants for joining the event.
Watch the event recording on YouTube