Webinar: Wood burning – a sustainable energy alternative or a health threat?
Wednesday, 6 July 2022, 10.00 – 11.30 am CEST In recent years, the burning of wood in private homes, in power or heat plants has increased, and is hailed by…
Mental health and cities
Our new infographic explores the links between cities, climate change, air pollution and mental health - and how we can create mental health-friendly cities. Available in English and Polish.
Healthy Mobility: A new approach to urban space environments
Across Europe, from East to West, North to South, mayors and local decision-makers have initiated measures to make cities more sustainable and climate-friendly. There is a wealth of good practice…
The impact of air pollution from transport on children’s health and development
HEAL Poland has published a new infographic highlighting the fact that children are particularly vulnerable to suffering impacts from air pollution, with sometimes lifelong consequences, available in English and Polish.
HEAL Poland at a Polish senate hearing on climate
HEAL’s Weronika Michalak recently presented on climate change and health at a hearing in the Senate, Poland’s upper chamber. The meeting explored the direction in which Polish climate policy should…
Health groups call for EU air quality standards to be fully aligned with new WHO recommendations
he World Health Organization (WHO) has today published its much awaited new evidence-based Global Air Quality guidelines, the first update since 2005. Health groups now urge the European Union and national decision-makers to protect the health of hundreds of millions by stepping up efforts for clean air for health. This can be achieved first and foremost by fully aligning EU air quality standards with the science based guidelines and other new studies - a step that thousands of citizens have been calling for.
HEAL webinar series on transport and health in Poland
The road transport sector is one of the main sources of pollution in cities. It also transforms public spaces into noisy and grey car zones, hindering active mobility. Transport pollution…
Announcement of Belchatow coal plant closure is turning point for health
Therefore, the Belchatow closure announcement is a milestone for better health protection for the people in Poland and beyond, and shows that there is a growing recognition that coal cannot have a place in a healthy energy future for Poland, or elsewhere. At the same time, there’s no reason for leaning back, as we have not reached our goal of a coal phase out in the EU by 2030 yet - a date that is scientifically proven to be needed to slow down the climate crisis.
Webinar: Just Transition for Better Health. Which role for the health sector in achieving the energy transformation in Poland?
Monday, 7 June 2021, 15.00 – 16.30 CEST The transformation of coal and carbon-intensive regions has gained in policy importance at national and EU level, as part of considerations of…
New briefing on how to achieve better health through Just Transition in Poland
Just Transition is a key consideration for Poland, where the majority of energy is still generated by coal power. Each year, this leads to up to EUR 7.5 billion in…
New report on children’s health impacts from transport pollution in Poland
Air pollution is the greatest health threat in Poland, with 50,000 premature deaths annually and a range of health effects including hospitalisations and rise in asthma cases in children. Polish…
Setting Poland on the path for a healthy, green and just recovery
By end April, the Polish government has to submit a national recovery plan to the EU Commission, in order to receive funding under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). HEAL…
Unique doctors coalition in Poland launches urgent call for climate action
Polish health and medical experts have issued a reminder that accelerating climate change already impacts people’s health in Poland and beyond - and that these effects will continue to worsen…
Lancet Countdown 2020 underlines health benefits of decisive climate and recovery action
Responding to the converging climate and COVID-19 crises can deliver a triple win: better public health, a sustainable economy and environmental protection. Climate action can ensure cleaner air, healthier diets,…
Healthy energy future
HEAL’s campaign Prescription for a Healthy Energy Future for Europe shines a light on the health benefits the transformation of the energy sector will bring, and bring to the forefront…
Environment Ministers have to show commitment to EU action on air quality in 2020
In the upcoming Council Conclusions on Air Quality, we call on Environment Ministers to: Reflect the urgency to act on air pollution for health protection: the positive effects of this Green Deal need to be breathable by the end of the current EU Commission’ mandate. Translate the urgency into action by paving the way forward: the EU Green Deal ambition needs to take the shape of clear steps for clean air in 2020, with a view to aligning the EU air standards with the WHO guidelines.
