The Climate Connection is a partnership for public health action and learning on climate change.

The initiative is funded by the Department of Health (DH), and arises out of more than two years of collaborative work, led and coordinated by the UK Public Health Association (UKPHA). The importance of supporting regionally-led initiatives and partnerships was identified as one of three priority areas at the National Symposium on Health and Sustainable Development in March 2007.

Sir Muir Gray and Dr. Frances Mortimer have been brought in from The Campaign for Greener Healthcare to develop and launch the project with the UKPHA.

The Climate Connection – motivation

Public Health must take urgent action for climate change because:

• Mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) is not only essential for the long-term protection of public health, but offers huge synergies with health improvement – through promoting physical activity, healthy diet, community development, efficient housing and better air quality.
• Projected climate variability should be properly risk-managed by health & social care services, and in emergency planning. Measures to increase resilience to climate change also offer opportunities for health improvement and reducing inequalities.

The Climate Connection – principles

• The Climate Connection is a network, not a hierarchy - all participants are equally important.
• Individuals and organisations can take part; the only qualification for participation is a commitment to action and learning.
• Action, discussion and learning must relate to both climate change and public health.

The Climate Connection – founding partners

Department of Health
UKPHA
Health Protection Agency
Chartered Institute for Environmental Health
Faculty of Public Health
NHS Sustainable Development Unit