With the next edition of our webinar series “Planetary Health Dialogues” on Tuesday, 19th March 2024, 4.00 – 5.00 pm CET we will be focussing on chemical pollution for the second time and discuss recent legislative efforts of the EU to tackle the pollution crisis.
In addition to climate change and biodiversity loss, environmental pollution is the third major anthropogenic planetary crisis of our time. Tons of harmful and sometimes persistent substances are released into the soil, water and air, particularly along the chemical value chain. At the same time, the chemical industry contributes significantly to exacerbating the other planetary crises, accounting for 6.3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The first Planetary Health Dialogue on the topic took place on 22 February 2024 and provided an overview of the extent of the health and environmental impacts of chemicals at the national, European and global level. The recording can be found here.
This second webinar will focus on recent legislative efforts of the EU to tackle the pollution crisis. As this legislative term of the European Parliament is coming to an end, we will look at which specific legislative procedures have been initiated and implemented in the last five years to solve chemical pollution. Additionally, the webinar will give an outlook on where there is still a need for further political action and enforcement.
Together with Alexandra Caterbow, Co-Director Health and Environment Justice Support (HEJ Support) and Magnus Løfstedt, Expert on Chemicals, Environment and Health, European Environment Agency (EEA), we will discuss the following questions:
- Which policy milestones to better regulate chemical pollution have been reached by the EU recently?
- How will these changes better protect Europeans’ health going forward?
- What should the next European Commission prioritise to address areas that are still insufficiently regulated?
The event will take place via Zoom and will be held in English. The dial-in details will then be sent to you automatically by e-mail. The recording will be made available afterwards.
“The health risks of pollution: Assessing the problem” is part of CPHP’s webinar series „Planetary Health Dialogues“, a monthly exchange between with German and international scholars, policymakers, and civil society actors to reflect and to collaborate on ideas for a paradigm shift towards equity, health and well-being within planetary boundaries.