Protecting health systems and lives in a changing climate
Across Europe, healthcare systems are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. More frequent floods, droughts, heatwaves, and storms are disrupting health services, damaging infrastructure, and putting lives at risk. These growing pressures make one thing clear: building climate-resilient healthcare is essential to protecting patients and keeping services running during crises.
There’s also a powerful economic case for action. According to the World Resources Institute, every $1 invested in climate adaptation delivers more than $10 in benefits—with health projects showing some of the highest returns.
With health at stake, now is the time to turn knowledge into action. This LIFE RESYSTAL webinar in September 2025 highlighted the new tools available and policies needed to ensure Europe’s healthcare systems are prepared for the challenges ahead.
Webinar content
This webinar examined how robust policy frameworks and practical, on-the-ground measures can work together to enhance healthcare systems’ resilience against climate-related impacts. It had 3 parts:
- LIFE RESYSTAL results
A presentation of the project’s final outcomes, including practical tools, guidance, and a roadmap for integrating resilience strategies into healthcare planning and operations. - High-level policy discussion
A panel of experts and policymakers from regional, national, and Europeanl levels discussed implications for healthcare resilience within the EU legislative framework - Introduction to the MOUNTADAPT project
Learn about a related Horizon Europe initiative (2025-2027), applying and adapting LIFE RESYSTAL tools to healthcare in Europe’s mountain regions, across four demonstration sites.
Panelists and speakers
- Gabriella Abruzzo, Climate Projects Officer – HCWH Europe
- Andrea Schmidt, Head of Department, Climate & Health – Austrian National Public Health Institute
- Maria Libura, PhD, Assistant Professor – Medical Univeristy of Gdańsk, Poland
- Mareike Kroll, PhD, Climate Change, Mitigation & Sustainable Health Systems Officer (Living and Working Environments) – WHO Regional Office for Europe
- Kim van Daalen, environmental epidemiologist and BHF CRE Career Development Fellow – Department of Public Health & Primary Care, University of Cambridge
- Moderator: Diana Picon Manyari, International Climate Director – Health Care Without Harm