As a European Climate Pact Partner, EFN attended the special opening day of the European Climate Pact Annual Event: Together in Action, open only to the Climate Pact Community. The Climate Pact’s annual celebration represents a great opportunity to track progress towards tackling climate change, and strengthen the drive towards a cleaner, more resilient Union. This occasion gave EFN the opportunity to meet policymakers, experts and community leaders; and explore together with them the future of climate action from across Europe.
Important topics addressed during the annual event include: 1) the importance of making Europe climate resilient: protecting communities, societies and economies from extreme weather events, including by strengthening the climate resilience and preparedness of the health systems, for which frontline nurses play a key role; 2) Tackling climate disinformation, including by equipping frontline nurses with the right competencies to educate and inform citizens and communities; 3) Just and inclusive transition: which must also address the specific needs of the health systems and the health workforce; 4) Youth leadership, including the leadership of nursing students, which must be heard at local, national and EU level.
The effects of climate change on public health are extremely serious and we are not currently ready to face this crisis that causes thousands of deaths every year (e.g.: air pollution causes 357,000 deaths a year, and 62,700 people died from heat-related causes in 2024).
Across Europe, nurses are contributing to address these challenges by linking climate action with health equity and wellbeing. As the most trusted healthcare professionals, nurses play a huge role in educating patients and their families on sustainable lifestyles, contributing to prevention and resilience towards the negative effects of climate change.
As a European Climate Pact partner, EFN will continue to work closely with the European Commission DG CLIMA as well as the whole Climate Pact Community, to ensure that the nurses’ voice is heard loud and clear within the development and implementation of the European Climate Policy!