Current Projects
Health Care System as Driver for Food System Transformation
The transformation of the food system towards more plant-based diets, in line with the Planetary Health Diet, is a key driver of human and planetary health. It lowers the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and makes a significant contribution to the preservation of ecosystem services. These effects ease the burden on healthcare systems and strengthen their resilience.
» Learn more about the project Health Care System as Driver for Food System Transformation
Ambitious and Just Transposition of the AAQD in Germany
This project aims to support the most polluted regions of Germany in implementing the new pollutant limits without time-limited exemptions. It identifies politically feasible, cost-efficient and socially equitable ways to comply with the limit values — with a focus on particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) as well as central emission sources such as traffic and domestic heating. The findings lead to political recommendations for regional air quality plans and federal policy decisions.
» Learn more about the project on the transposition of the Ambient Air Quality Directive
Political Strategies for an Environmentally Friendly Supply of Pharmaceuticals
The production, consumption and disposal of pharmaceuticals have far-reaching effects on the environment and climate. In addition to high emissions, drug residues pollute water bodies and ecosystems and contribute to the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. However, these ecological impacts have rarely been regulated to date and greenhouse gas emissions in the pharmaceutical sector in particular are still barely transparent. In this project, funded by the Umweltbundesamt — the German Environment Agency — CPHP is building on previous developments by bringing together stakeholders from the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors to identify needs and collaboratively develop solutions and policy recommendations.
» Learn more about the project on environmentally friendly pharmaceutical supply
Diagnosing Pollution: Environmental Chemicals as a Health Challenge – From Knowledge to Action
The increasing contamination of the environment with chemicals represents one of the greatest and still largely underestimated threats to human health. The health sector is affected in a particularly profound way: it not only contributes to the release of problematic chemicals, but is also directly confronted with their health impacts.
Funded by the TARGOBANK Foundation, the project “Diagnosing Pollution” raises awareness among health professionals of the impacts of environmental chemicals, provides knowledge on health risks and regulatory approaches, and highlights concrete and actionable measures to reduce the use of harmful chemicals within the health sector.
» Learn more about the project on “Diagnosing Pollution”
Advisory support to the GIZ Sector Initiative One Health
The health of humans, animals and their environment is closely linked and interdependent. The One Health approach is based on this understanding and uses interdisciplinary cooperation to protect health and prevent health risks. The CPHP, together with the London School of Economics (LSE), CPC Analytics und dem UN University International Institute for Global Health, advises the Sector Initiative One Health of the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
ARBEIT: SICHER + GESUND Safe and Healthy Work in a Changing Climate
Climate change is transforming the world of work. Increasing heat, extreme weather events, as well as physical and psychological stress present challenges for employees and leaders alike. In the BMAS-funded project “ARBEIT: SICHER + GESUND Safe an healthy work in a changing climate (ASUG-Klima),” the CPHP, together with a consortium of scientists, policy advisors, and communication experts, is investigating which occupational groups are particularly affected and developing solutions for climate- and human-friendly, safe working environments.
Besides this project and on behalf of the BMAS, the CPHP conducted a workshop in June 2023 focusing on the effects of increasing heat on the workplace. The aim was to present and discuss practical heat protection measures with occupational health and safety experts.
In 2022, the CPHP has prepared an expert report on “Climate Change and Health in the Workplace” on behalf of the BMAS.
» Learn more about the project on safe and healthy work in a changing climate
Development of cornerstones of a sustainability strategy for the German healthcare system
Increasing pressures from environmental degradation and climate change also pose major challenges for the German healthcare system: on the one hand, it has to cope with increasing climate-related health risks and, on the other hand, it needs to contribute to environmental, resource and climate protection through more sustainable practices and the gradual achievement of the legally enshrined climate neutrality target for 2045. However, this impending transformation also presents an opportunity to initiate fundamental changes that benefit patients, primarily by strengthening prevention and health promotion in order to reduce illness and resource consumption.
Prevention and Health Promotion from a Planetary Health Perspective
Health promotion and prevention focused on living environments hold significant potential to achieve co-benefits for both climate and the environment. This means that many measures aimed at improving people’s health and well-being in their daily environments and preventing disease also help protect the environment. For instance, promoting healthier, plant-based diets can be an example, with a particular emphasis on improving the structural conditions in people’s living environments that determine dietary choices. In cooperation with BARMER health insurance and KLUG e.V., we analyse the Prevention Guide from the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband) to explore the scope of action that health insurers have in implementing measures with co-benefits. Furthermore, we develop quality indicators for project funding in the field of health promotion and prevention in living environments, which consider the interconnections between climate, environment, and human health. As part of this, we train employees to become change agents within the BARMER health insurance organisation.
Completed Projects
Climate Change and Health: Parliamentary Dialogue in the New Legislative Term
The re-elected and newly elected members of parliament have a great responsibility as well as a large opportunity to strengthen climate and health protection in the new legislative period. In this project
the CPHP provides a platform for science-based information, active dialogue and open exchange. The aim is to strengthen the commitment of and cooperation between experienced and new members of parliament at the interface of climate change and health.
» Learn more about the parliamentary dialogue on climate change and health
Experts on Financing and Global Governance with Emphasis on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response
Together with the London School of Economics (LSE) and CPC Analytics, CPHP advises the GIZ sector project “One Health” and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) on behalf of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The topics are “global health governance”, “global health financing” and cross-sectoral concepts such as “One Health” and “Planetary Health”.
» Learn more about the project on financing and governance for pandemic preparedness
Lancet Countdown Annual Report Launch — Germany
In addition to the annual publication of the Lancet Countdown reports, national initiatives have increasingly emerged to present the key findings of the global report, place them in the local context and formulate adapted recommendations for policy makers in the respective country. Since 2022, the German initiative has been coordinated by the Center for Planetary Health Policy (CPHP).
» Learn more about the project on the German Lancet Countdown initiative
Advancing and Integrating – German Climate and Health Policies: Insights from National Policy-Makers and Non-State Actors
The project is part of an multi-country study led by George Mason University (GMU) that explores the connections between climate and health policies in different countries. The study includes research from six countries/regions: Brazil, the Caribbean (covering Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad), Germany, Kenya, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The goal of this global collaboration is to provide actionable insights to enhance climate and health policies at both national and international level.
» Learn more about the project on German climate and health policy integration
Legal Framework for Planetary Health in Germany
The aim of the cooperation between the Insitute for Medical Law at Bucerius Law School in Hamburg, the German Alliance for Climate Change and Health (KLUG) and CPHP, is to identify important drivers, barriers and potentials for planetary health in medical and health law, and to aggregate recommendations for decision-makers. We also disseminate and further develop them through discussions, events and publications in the sector and with policy-makers.
» Learn more about the project on the legal framework for Planetary Health in Germany
Planetary Health Forum – Towards Health within Planetary Boundaries
Sponsored by the German Federal Environmental Foundation, the CPHP is organizing the forum “Planetary Health — On the Path to Health within Planetary Boundaries.” The event will take place from November 30 to December 1, 2023, in Berlin and will be livestreamed. The congress will be accompanied by a series of pre- and post-event workshops, conducted in collaboration with partner organisations, addressing urgent questions and topics related to planetary health.
The aim of the event is to develop actionable options for policymakers and practitioners to protect health within planetary boundaries. Additionally, the forum seeks to foster new alliances and build bridges between different disciplines and political sectors.
» Learn more about the Planetary Health Forum 2023
Policy Analysis of the Development and Implementation of National Portfolios of Action on Environment and Health
On behalf of the European Centre for Environment and Health of the World Health Organization (WHO ECEH), CPHP has analysed the national portfolios of the WHO European countries in preparation for the Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health (July 2023 in Budapest). To this end, the CPHP scientists carried out a desk review and expert consultations in the member states, prepared case studies with best practice examples and discussed these with WHO representatives.
» Learn more about the policy analysis on national environment and health portfolios
Assigned by
Climate Change and Health: Status Report & Expert Discussions
On behalf of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), CPHP supported the creation and dissemination of the RKI status report “Climate Change and Health.” The goal was to render the report’s findings actionable for decision-makers in politics and healthcare, while also communicating the results to a broad audience. Additionally, on behalf of the RKI, CPHP produced an evidence synthesis on the effects of the climate crisis on global health protection.
In September 2023, CPHP, in cooperation with the Climate Change and Health Office at the Robert Koch Institute and the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), organized three virtual expert discussions on the findings of the report.
» Learn more about the project on the RKI status report and expert discussions
Public Health OperatioNs for clImate change aCtion (PHONIC) — Development of a Framework to Identify Priority Operations
The Public Health OperatioNs for clImate change aCtion (PHONIC) project was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the German Alliance for Global Health (GLOHRA). The CPHP developed a framework to identify priority measures for public health in the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation. An action guide with concrete indicators and examples of good practice was also developed for priority areas, which will then be piloted in Germany and Kenya.
» Learn more about the PHONIC project
AirHealth: Strengthening Germany’s Air Quality Policy to Protect Public Health
With the revision of the Air Quality Directive, the European Union is partially aligning the legal framework and standards for air quality in its member states with the new evidence-based recommendations of the WHO. In this context, the CPHP analyses the ecological and economic added value of health-protective air quality standards and organizes expert discussions with political decision-makers and experts. The aim is to analyse Germany’s role in the European negotiations and to advance the political and public debate in Germany. The project is funded by the Clean Air Fund.
» Learn more about the AirHealth project on strengthening air quality policy
Mapping the Stakeholder Landscape in the Field of Climate Change and Health in Germany
Together with the Wellcome Trust, the CPHP is mapping the German stakeholder landscape in the field of climate change and health, particularly in preparation for important international events in 2023, such as the World Health Summit (WHS) and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28). The project aims to draw a picture of the current political debates in this field of action and to enter into discussions with the relevant and influential actors.
» Learn more about the project on mapping climate and health stakeholders in Germany
Climate Crisis and Self-Help
In this project, CPHP provided scientific guidance to the Federal Association for Self-Help of People with Disabilities, Chronic Illnesses, and their Families (BAG Selbsthilfe) and co-produced with its members exchange formats and materials for self-help groups and associations focussed on adapting to the increasing heatwaves and on opportunities for more sustainable practices. The project was funded by the AOK Bundesverband.
» Learn more about the project on climate crisis and self-help
