Strengthening EU Green Deal action for better health protection

Introduction

The Green Deal (EGD) is the EU's answer to the twin climate and environmental crises. As the leading European non-profit organization for a healthy planet for healthy people, with over 90 member organizations working at the EU level and in Member States, HEAL is uniquely placed to help advance an ambitious, on-track EGD implementation.

Objectives

Activities will, in the short and long term, contribute to better human health and significantly cut down rates of heart and lung disease, cancer, etc. This will be achieved by tackling the environmental and climate-related risks of ill health, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Addressing Inequalities

We will also address the emerging topic of inequalities and pollution for EU policy uptake. The project includes a threefold advocacy strategy:

1. Science-policy translation
2. Engagement of health organizations in the development and implementation of EU policies
3. Multi-language, tailored communication on the health benefits of EU action, especially ahead of the 2024 EP elections.

Anticipated Policy Results

Anticipated policy results from outreach, advocacy, and campaign activities to 9 target groups, covering major EGD policies and future proposals (chemicals, pesticides, air, climate) (6 Work Packages with 20 tasks) include:

• Agreement on an EU definition of endocrine disruptors as a hazard group
• Ambitious restrictions on the use of the forever chemicals PFAS
• EU decision on phasing out the most widely used herbicide glyphosate
• Agreement on fully updating the EU clean air standards with new science
• Better air quality in Poland and Southeastern Europe
• Acceleration of the healthy energy transition with higher EU renewables targets and ending fossil gas subsidies

Expected Impacts

Impacts include:

• Boost for EGD implementation
• More health protective policies
• Better evidence base for EU environmental, chemicals, and climate policies
• Increased two-way channeling and multiplier effect
• Decreased science-policy gap
• Greater political and public support for EU environmental and climate policies to benefit health today and for future generations.