More than 100 European mayors back climate and health pledge

More than 100 mayors, deputy mayors and elected representatives from 60 cities across 22 European countries have signed the Cork Call to Action on Climate and Health, pledging local action on nature, food, active travel, housing and preparedness for extreme weather.

“This declaration is a clear show of political leadership from mayors and city leaders across Europe on one of the greatest challenges facing our communities,” said Damian Boylan, Lord Mayor of Cork.

“Climate change isn’t a distant or theoretical issue. It’s already affecting the health of our citizens, and cities have a central role in delivering practical solutions,” he added.

Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of Health Systems at WHO/Europe, said cities were both on the front line of climate impacts and well placed to deliver solutions.

“The commitment made in Cork today by more than 100 political leaders shows a growing recognition that investing in healthy homes, sustainable food, active mobility, nature and resilience is investing in the health and prosperity of current and future generations,” she said.

The commitments were negotiated over two days at the WHO Summit of Mayors on Climate and Health in Cork, Ireland, hosted by Cork City Council and the WHO European Healthy Cities Network.

The declaration identifies five priorities: protecting biodiversity and green and blue spaces; developing healthier and more sustainable food systems; investing in walking, cycling and public transport; improving housing quality and energy efficiency; and strengthening preparedness for heat, flooding and other extreme weather.

Leaders also pledged to put health, equity and climate justice at the centre of local decision-making.

The agreement comes as Europe warms at around twice the global average. Heat has killed more than 200,000 people across the European Union and associated countries since 2022, with most of those deaths considered preventable.

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin opened the summit, while former Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Chair of the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health, delivered the keynote address.