Brussels, June 3, 2025 — “The challenges are real—but so are the opportunities. Now is the time for bold, transformative action. Public health must be at the core of Europe’s climate response.”

This powerful statement set the tone for the roundtable “Protecting Health in a Changing Climate”, held at the European Parliament and convened by the European Climate-Health Cluster. The event marked a pivotal moment in the integration of health and climate agendas, highlighting the urgent need for action amid accelerating environmental change.

Hosted by Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis and Ignazio Roberto Marino, MD, ScD, the session convened a diverse group of experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the latest scientific findings, assess policy gaps, and identify ways to accelerate progress on integrating health into climate policies.

Representing TRIGGER, Silvana Di Sabatino, the project coordinator, contributed to the opening panel moderated by Raman Preet (IDAlert). She spoke alongside Carmen M. Laplaza Santos (DG RTD) and Aleksandra Kazmierczak, bringing the TRIGGER perspective to the forefront of the discussion on climate-health synergies.

Such spaces for dialogue are vital moments to reinforce our collective responsibility to safeguard people’s health in the face of intensifying climate risks.

Silvana Di Sabatino underscored this in her intervention:

“In order to continue advancing we need to tackle climate change and health matters together,
facilitating data harmonization and access across Eur   ope to enable the generation of solid evidence that can provide suitable and adapted policy recommendations and relevant communications to the general public in a positive and meaningful manner in all contexts.”

As part of the Climate-Health Cluster, TRIGGER supports the development of climate strategies that are rooted in science and tailored to Europe’s evolving public health landscape. The project actively promotes knowledge-sharing and cross-sector collaboration to ensure that no one is left behind in the transition to a more sustainable, healthier future.

The event concluded with four key takeaways, as highlighted by the European Climate-Health Cluster:

• The health impacts of climate change are immediate and growing, affecting everyone but especially the most vulnerable.

• Integrated climate policies that include human health are informed by robust scientific evidence, and are essential for effective mitigation and adaptation.

• Stronger collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and society is needed to ensure that solutions are both effective and equitable.

• Communication and engagement with the public must be prioritised to ensure a just transition.

This visit to Brussels serves as a powerful reminder: tackling the climate crisis must go hand-in-hand with protecting health. With projects like TRIGGER actively shaping the European response, the path forward is clearer—and more urgent—than ever.