CETA is an unhealthy deal: lessons to be learnt for future EU trade policy
The European Parliament in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister has rubber-stamped the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada. Read more…
HEAL supports letter on environmental taxes to drive a sustainable EU budget
The EU budget in its current form is not a driver of sustainable development – neither in terms of how revenues are raised, nor how they are spent. HEAL joins policy makers, academics, businesses and civil society to call for innovative budget reform post-2020. Read more…
Europe finally recognises four phthalates as human endocrine disruptors
In a historic development, four synthetic chemicals - DEHP, DIBP, DBP and BBP - have been identified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) for human health. The news was first released by an official source in Denmark. Read more...
Improved EU decision-making in the area of health and consumer protection
Five European organisations including HEAL sent a letter to EU Commission First Vice-President to propose ways to improve the EU decision-making process in the area of health and consumer protection, including on agricultural products such as pesticides and GMOs. Read more...
EU Commission must fulfil their obligation to reduce pharmaceutical pollution
Representing hundreds of environmental and health organisations in all 28 EU member states and further afield, 14 NGOs called for immediate action and answers as to why the Commission have not yet published a strategic approach to address the pharmaceutical pollution of water. Read more...
Leading non-profit health insurer alerts EU health ministers on EDCs
The International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies (AIM) wrote to EU health ministers to urge them to take “proper action” on EDCs. This follows the publication of an AIM Declaration on Endocrine Disrupting Compounds.Read more...
European Citizens' Initiative to ban glyphosate launched
Health and environment groups met in Brussels and other European cities earlier this month to launch a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) to ban glyphosate. The goal is to collect at least one million signatures from Europeans and submit the petition before the Commission's next move to renew, withdraw or extend the EU licence of glyphosate. Read more...
Call to implement Better Regulation principles in EU action on EDCs
The EDC-Free Europe coalition and the Green 10 call on the First Vice-President of the European Commission to implement Better Regulation principles in EU action on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). Read more...
Save the date! Pesticide Action Week 2017
As Spring approaches, the 12th edition Pesticide Action week to which HEAL is a partner, will take place from 20 – 30 March 2017. This annual and international event aims to promote alternatives to pesticides to improve the environment and health. Read more...
New report shows coal plant closures needed by 2030 to meet Paris targets
The European Climate Foundation's partner, Climate Analytics has published an important report on what needs to happen to meet Europe's goal of phasing out by 2030 to meet climate goals. Read more…
New HEAL campaign: Choose Health - End Fossil Fuel Subsidies
HEAL has launched a new campaign focused on health as a driver to accelerate the end of fossil fuel subsidies. Read more…
HEAL as jury member in European fossil fuel subsidies awards campaign
As many governments prefer not talk about or even hide the fact that they are funding fossil fuels, these awards aim to put these subsidies in the spotlight and increase pressure to phase them out. It is unfair to keep European citizens in the dark, when fossil fuel subsidies impact health and the environment. Read more…
Doctors worldwide speak up for healthier energy choices
In the Lancet Global Health Blog, HEAL's Health and Climate Change Coordinator Vijoleta Gordeljevic showcases how doctors, health and medical professionals can be highly effective in demanding better air quality and urging an end to fossil fuels. Read more…
Air pollution in Balkans is spiking again, harming people's health
HEAL's Health and Energy Officer Vlatka Matkovic Puljic was recently cited in a UK daily (over 200 million monthly browsers), highlighting how air quality in the Balkans at the end of last year was critical. The situation was mirrored across the Western Balkans with the main source of air pollution coming from coal burning and electricity generation in coal plants. Read more…
Poland's anti-smog battle turns political
Many areas in Poland spent a lot of January under a choking smog, as a result of residential coal health and diesel cars, polluting the air and impacting health. HEAL in Poland has commented on opportunities and dangers of government proposals to improve the situation. Read more…
HEAL in Turkey: 8 out of 10 most polluted cities in Europe are in Turkey
Air pollution is a major problem for Turkey with 8 out of 10 most polluted cities in Europe found in the country, a recent Guardian article revealed. News quickly spread to press in Turkey. Read more…
Generations Futures - Endocrine disrupting pesticides in tap and surface water
PAN Europe - Low impact farming campaign website launched!
Breast Cancer UK - Physical activity and cancer (guest blog)
ELF - Possible new route for asthma treatment discovered
IEW - Latest news from Fédération Inter-Environnement Wallonie
Generations Futures - Seven French celebrities discover their contamination from endocrine disruptors
EPHA - Unhealthy CETA
Publications
Joint publication: The Unhealthy Side Effects of CETA
Open letter to Members of REACH Committee on D4D5, phthalates, and nanoforms
Letter to the EP Environment Committee - EDCs: One more way CETA endangers public health and the environment
Events
March
1-2 March, Brussels, Belgium: European Parliament Plenary
13-16 March, Strasbourg, France: European Parliament Plenary
April
3-6 April, Strasbourg, France: European Parliament Plenary
7 April: World Health Day
26-27 April, Brussels, Belgium: European Parliament Plenary
28 April: World Day for Safety and Health at Work
Take Action
#StopGlyphosate ECI. Protect our health, sign our petition today!
Help us spread the word about fossil fuels subsidies and get involved in ‘Choose Health, End Fossil Fuel Subsidies'.
SumOfUs petition to reject Commission proposal on EDCs criteria. Petition is also available in French, Spanish, and in German.
Become a supporter of the EDC-Free Europe coalition!
Nominate and vote on your subsidy in the European Fossil Fuel Subsidies Awards
HEAL in the media
Roundup weedkiller causes liver disease in rats: study, Politico, 9 January 2017
Findings showing Roundup causes disease puts glyphosate back under the spotlight, Science Daily, 9 January 2017
EDCs 'straitjacket' fears prompt NGO call on EU-Canada deal, Chemical Watch, 12 January 2017
Latest draft of EDC criteria raises new concerns, Chemical Watch, 9 February 2017
Air quality in Pristina unhealthy, cold winter bites, Daily Mail, 13 February 2017
HEAL tweets
Fossil fuels cause #airpollution that kills 6mln people/year. But instead of protecting #health,your government awards the industry with $$.
#CETA endangers our health and the environment. Read our joint statement on the European Parliament vote: bit.ly/2lKy2vs #EUEDC
We are launching today our European Citizens' Initiative to ban #glyphosate to protect our health! #StopGlyphosate
We are looking for a new #Communications and Media Coordinator to join our team! Find out more & apply today: bit.ly/HEALjobs #jobs
Want to explore a career in environmental health? Join us as
#Climate and #Energy Campaigns Assistant (#Internship): http://bit.ly/HEALjobs