Copenhagen, Rome and The Hague

Reducing greenhouse gases through action in the transport, energy and industry sectors would have immediate health benefits, according to a study completed in Switzerland.[1] The study examined different scenarios for action on climate change, and calculated the reductions in air pollution and benefits to health associated with each. On 22 November in The Hague, WHO will renew its call for countries to take rapid measures to combat climate change[2] at a special satellite meeting of the sixth session of the Conference to the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP6).

“We are not just talking about taking measures to avoid the health risks that climate change will bring, such as diseases or death from extreme weather events, and vector-, food- or waterborne diseases that arise from altered climates,” says Dr Roberto Bertollini, Director of Technical Services and Strategic Development, WHO Regional Office for Europe. “It is now clear that taking strong pre-emptive measures that directly reduce greenhouse gases will also result in other immediate and important health benefits for us all, for example, through cleaner air. Taking measures now to limit the damage from climate change will bring immediate benefits to our health. This is a win–win strategy.”

The Swiss study points out that the most efficient programmes for reducing greenhouse gases are also programmes for clean air. “The strategies on climate change that will benefit health are those in which countries directly target fossil-fuel emissions,” says the author of the study, Dr Nino Künzli of the Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine, Basle. “The greatest health benefits will stem from integrated policies covering technology, urban planning, the speed and safety of traffic, quality of life and the promotion of walking, cycling and the use of public transport.” A recent three-country European study,[3] of which Dr Künzli was joint author, found that air pollution causes 6% of all deaths, and thus kills many more people than traffic accidents.

Air pollutants from fossil fuels damage health: when air pollution is eased, health benefits promptly follow. Globally, it has been estimated that strategic climate policies could prevent about 8 million deaths that would occur between 2000 and 2020 as a result of pursuing business as usual.[4]

Road transport is a key target area in which both to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and to curb the harm to health caused by factors related to traffic: other air pollutants, noise, accidents and reduced opportunities for physical exercise through walking and cycling.[5] Transport is now the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. In the European Union (EU), the transport sector causes about 26% of all CO₂ emissions.[6] Further, emissions from transport increased by 30% between 1985 and 1996 in the EU, and the use of passenger cars is projected to increase by 30% by 2010,[7] despite the targets in the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Because the continuing expansion of transport activities around the globe threatens to escalate health-damaging emissions and other health risks, the Member States of the WHO European Region adopted the Charter on Transport, Environment and Health last year, with a plan of action to achieve transport systems that are sustainable for health and the environment. “Many of the strategies we have been promoting have multiple benefits: reducing greenhouse gases and improving health at the same time. Policies that encourage more public transport, in combination with more walking and cycling, are serious, feasible and lead to dramatic health benefits. They are also central to resolving congestion and improving the quality of life in cities,” says Dr Carlos Dora, of the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health.“If we could cycle and walk more, we would reduce greenhouse gases and improve our health and longevity through reduced risks of heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Studies show that walking to work halves our chances of heart disease.”

Road transport exacts both health and financial costs that are not paid by those who generate them. Recent estimates place the external costs of transport – the costs borne by others – at about 658 billion euros: nearly 10% of the gross domestic product of the western European countries.[8]

At the WHO meeting on 22 November, Dr Corrado Clini, Co-Chair of the European Environment and Health Committee, will present the data being considered by the G8 Task Force on Renewable Energy. “This is an opportunity for technological innovation. Further technological development of renewable energy, cleaner vehicles, fuels and particulate filters is essential,” says Dr Clini.“

“We at WHO believe that recognition of the multiple benefits of combating climate change give extra impetus to the negotiations that are underway here at COP6,” says Dr Bertollini. “While there is consensus that integrated strategies need to be given higher priority, strong opposition by many stakeholders constrains their implementation. We urge countries to take action that will bring about the most benefits for the public and its health.”

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[1] Eberle, T. et al. Secondary Benefits von Treibhausgas-Reduktionen für die Gesundheit. Synthese. In: Sekundärnutzen (Secondary Benefits) von Treibhausgas-Reduktionen. Workshopsynthese. Berne, Beratendes Organ für Fragen der Klimaänderung, OcCC, 2000, pp. 15–27.
[2] Kovats, S. et al., ed. Climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion. Early effects on our health in Europe. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2000 (WHO Regional Publications, European series, No. 88).
[3] Künzli, N. et al. Public health impact of outdoor and traffic-related air pollution: a European assessment. Lancet, 356: 795–801 (2000).
[4] Working Group on Public Health and Fossil-fuel Combustion. Short-term improvements in public health from global-climate policies on fossil-fuel combustion: an interim report. Lancet, 350: 1341–1348 (1997).
[5] Dora, C. & Phillips, M., ed. Transport, environment and health. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2000 (WHO Regional Publications, European series, No. 89).
[6] Haines, A. et al. Fossil fuels, transport, and public health. Policy goals for physical activity and emission controls point the same way. Editorial. British medical journal, 321: 1168–1169 (2000).
[7] Environment in the European Union at the turn of the century. Copenhagen, European Environment Agency, 1999.
[8] INFRAS AG & Institut für Wirtschaftspolitik und Wirtschaftsforschung (IWW) Universität Karlsruhe. External costs of transport (accidents, environmental and congestion costs) in western Europe. Paris, International Union of Railways (UIC), 2000.

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