Poland faces some of the most acute climate-health risks in the EU. A new briefing from the EU-funded CATALYSE project, coordinated by ISGlobal — in which HEAL is a partner — explores the health impacts of those risks and recommends solutions local policymakers can implement to protect public health.
The briefing presents evidence from the latest Lancet Countdown in Europe report on the health impacts Poland faces due to climate change, including heat and vector-borne diseases. Heat-related deaths more than doubled in the past decade, and heatwaves are worsening already poor air quality. Vector-borne diseases are also increasing due to climate change.
The policy brief also presents solutions. It explores a CATALYSE case-study on the importance of framing climate change as a health issue, the critical role of engaged health professionals, and the health benefits of phasing out coal-fired power generation in the only EU country which has not yet set a phase out date.
The brief ends with clear policy recommendations, from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to including climate change as a part of the upcoming National Health Programme and strengthening adaptation measures with adequate financing.
This Project receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement number: