The window for meaningful health-centered action on climate change is rapidly closing across Europe, as impacts intensify and engagement stalls, according to the Lancet Countdown Europe report.
"Across Europe, the health impacts of climate change are intensifying faster than our response is keeping up," stated co-director Joacim Rocklöv. The report highlights significant increases in heat-related deaths, with extreme heat warnings up 318% from 1991-2000 to 2015-2024. Heat exposure also exacerbates chronic diseases and leads to adverse birth outcomes.
Poor air quality, worsened by climate change, is linked to rising respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Indirectly, climate change is driving food insecurity, affecting over one million additional people in Europe in 2023 compared to the 1981-2010 baseline. Warming temperatures are also accelerating the spread of infectious diseases, with the average risk of dengue outbreaks in Europe increasing by 297% since 1980-2010.
Despite the escalating risks, public and political engagement remains insufficient. In 2024, only 21 speeches in the European Parliament addressed the climate-health link, mirroring a broader disconnect in communications. "Rising heat, worsening household air pollution, exposure to infectious diseases, and growing threats to food security are placing millions of people at risk today," Rocklöv emphasized.
However, measures like clean energy investment show health-positive climate action is feasible. "The window for action is narrowing, but Europe has an opportunity to reinforce its decarbonisation leadership and pursue rapid, coordinated and health-centred climate action to protect lives," said Cathryn Tonne, co-director. Redirecting investments and preparing health systems are key to building a resilient, low-carbon future.