By Abbas Nazil
An independent commission convened by the World Health Organization has warned that climate change is no longer a distant environmental issue but an immediate public health and security crisis affecting Europe and beyond.
The Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health, chaired by former Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, released a Call to Action urging governments to urgently integrate climate and health concerns into national security planning.
The commission stated that rising global temperatures, worsening air pollution and increasing dependence on fossil fuels are threatening health systems, food security, water supply and economic stability across the region.
According to the commission, Europe is currently the fastest-heating region in the world, with temperatures rising at twice the global average.
It warned that rapid warming increases the risk of reaching dangerous climate “tipping points” that could trigger irreversible environmental damage.
The commission stressed that delayed action would lead to higher economic and health costs in the future, insisting that governments must move beyond gradual adjustments and adopt large-scale preventive measures.
Speaking on the report, Jakobsdóttir described climate change as a direct threat to human health, security, social cohesion and human rights.
She said governments have both political and moral responsibilities to act immediately, adding that climate action should be seen as an investment capable of building resilient and fair societies.
The commission issued 17 recommendations covering climate security, health system reforms, local community action and economic restructuring.
It called on governments to redirect funds away from activities that worsen climate change and instead invest in renewable energy, sustainable transport, energy efficiency and climate-resilient health systems.
The commission also urged governments to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, arguing that such subsidies continue to damage public health while making economies vulnerable to supply disruptions and energy price shocks.
WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Henri P. Kluge, described climate change as a security threat, health emergency and economic danger occurring simultaneously.
He criticized continued government spending on fossil fuel subsidies despite their harmful effects on health and the environment.
The commission further called on WHO to officially declare climate change a public health emergency of international concern, arguing that existing international health regulations were not designed to address long-term climate threats.
It also recommended mandatory climate-health training for healthcare workers, improved mental health planning and stronger climate-friendly procurement systems within healthcare supply chains.
Professor Andrew Haines said climate adaptation and mitigation measures could significantly improve public health if implemented at scale.
The commission additionally urged governments to adopt economic indicators that prioritize public health, environmental sustainability and social equity rather than relying solely on gross domestic product measurements.
