Report Presentation & National Success Stories The Launch of the 2026 Europe Report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change

As geopolitical instability continues to drive soaring energy prices across Europe, the continent’s continued vulnerability to fossil fuel dependence has been thrown into sharp focus. Beyond the economic and security risks of volatile fuel markets, the health impacts of fossil fuel combustion - from intensifying heat harms to worsening air pollution - are increasingly evident. These interconnected pressures are revealed in the forthcoming Europe Report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, which charts how fossil fuel reliance is undermining both immediate well-being and long-term resilience across the region.

The Lancet Countdown Europe is an international, interdisciplinary research initiative that aims to develop open, transparent and rigorous indicators to track the impact of climate change on population health. As well as monitoring the health impacts of climate change, it follows the adaptation and mitigation actions taken, the economic and financial aspects, and public and political engagement across Europe. The third edition of the Lancet Countdown in Europe report will be published in the Lancet Public Health journal on April 22, 2026.

This report will be launched in the heart of Heidelberg. Prof. Joacim Rocklöv, co-chair of The Lancet Countdown in Europe, will present the main findings. National and pan-European representatives will follow, including the European Environment Agency, the World Health Organization in Europe, national health agencies (e.g., the Robert Koch Institute and Santé publique France), and the leader of the Austrian Climate and Health Competence Centre. They will highlight national success stories. A panel discussion with national and local representatives along with experts will follow. The discussion will explore the key ingredients needed for successful integrated climate and health action.

The event is open to everyone, either in person or online. Refreshments will be served at the end of the event, and there will be an opportunity to meet the researchers who contributed to the Lancet Countdown in Europe report, as well as the keynote speakers and panelists.

Registration

When: April 22, 2026 • 13:00 - 15:45
Where: Alte Aula • Grabengasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg

The event will be held in English. However, synchronous translation into German will be available for people attending in person.

If you are attending in person, please make sure you arrive by 12:45 at the latest.

Please register (free of charge)

Preliminary Program (Last Update: April 9, 2026)

Table

12:30	Registration
13:00	Opening remarks	Annkathrine von der Haar, Robert Koch Institute (RKI) & Dr. Maximilian Jungmann, Heidelberg Center for the Environment (HCE)
13:05	Opening statement from Heidelberg University	Prof. Michael Boutros Dean of the Medical Faculty Heidelberg
13:15	Main findings from LCD Europe Report	Prof. Joacim Rocklöv, Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH) & Interdisciplinary Centre for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg University & Prof. Cathryn Tonne, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)
13:35	Keynote: “The European Climate and Health Observatory support for nations to prepare and adapt to climate change impacts”	Aleksandra Kazmierczak European Environment Agency (EEA)
13:50	Keynote: “Examples of success stories on national level on action taken on climate change and health and supported by the WHO Europe”	Francesca Racioppi Head of Office at WHO European Centre for Environment and Health
14:05	“Developing a national indicator set for monitoring climate change-related health aspects in Germany”	Annkathrine von der Haar Robert Koch Institute (RKI)
14:20	“Net-Zero Strategy in Healthcare: The Austrian Way”	Dr. Ruperta Lichtenecker Head of Department Competence Centre for Climate and Health, Austrian National Public Health Institute, Gesundheit Österreich GmbH
14:35	“Vector-borne diseases in France: strengthening public health preparedness and surveillance in an era of global change”	Dr. Frédéric Jourdain Head of the Vector-Borne Diseases Programme within the Directorate of Infectious Diseases at Santé publique France
14:50	Panel discussion with national and local representatives and experts exploring the key ingredients needed for successful climate action.	Moderators: Annkathrine von der Haar (RKI) & Dr. Maximilian Jungmann (HCE)
15:30	Open questions from the public to the panellists
15:40	Closing remarks
15:45 - 17:00	Meet the scientists and expert panellists Finger food and snacks offered