Symposium

Ireland has a unique opportunity to act whilst hosting the Presidency of the Council of the European Union by putting climate, biodiversity loss and public health at the heart of the European and global agenda.

Chaired by Dr. Tony Holohan, with both global and local leaders in health, nature, climate, law, policy and activism, this event will imagine what would be possible if the climate emergency was declared a health emergency.

Health professionals and researchers hold a position of trust with people placing care in their hands. That work gives access to evidence and the means to interpret it. Bearing witness through patients and through the data carries a responsibility to speak out and to act where possible.

Communication about climate change has not sufficiently conveyed the human experiences of chronic illness made worse, changing patterns of infection and disruption to care. Those least responsible often bear the greatest harm. Research estimates more than 180,000 heat-related deaths across the European countries studied during the summers of 2022–2024. Heat is only part of a burden that accumulates year after year.

Opportunities discussed at this event will include:

1. Using Ireland’s EU Presidency conference on 23 November and its conclusions to invite European colleagues to declare climate change a health emergency and to provide reports on progress during each successive EU Presidency.
2. Asking the European Commission to assess the case for activating the EU’s formal health emergency mechanisms.
3. Joining other countries in requesting WHO to declare climate change a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and offer to help finance the response in the Global South.

The Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health has recommended a WHO declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The EU also has a formal mechanism under Regulation (EU) 2022/2371. These instruments warrant examination. They were designed principally for acute emergencies with an anticipated end. Their limitations underline the need for ministers to establish how they can respond effectively together over time.

Sign the Declaration

Please add your voice to this call by signing this declaration.

Who is organising this event?

Initiated by Trinity School of Medicine, this event is a partnership with Irish Doctors for the Environment, Trinity Sustainability, Trinity Climate Gateway, the Southern Africa Consortium for Climate Change Research and Policy and the All-Ireland One Health Collaborative Network. It launches the inaugural One Health Festival running from 20th November to 27th November 2026, an initiative of the All-Ireland One Health Collaborative Network. It is funded by Trinity School of Medicine, Healthy Trinity within Trinity Sustainability and supported by Wellcome Trust [336423/Z/25/Z]