Report of the
Lancet Countdown
The latest report from the Lancet Countdown Europe tracks progress on health and climate change in the region.
Compiled with the contribution of 65 experts spanning 46 academic and UN institutions, the new report explores 43 indicators which monitor the health impacts of climate change, as well as the inadequate, delayed or missed opportunities of climate action in Europe.
Key Messages
CLIMATE CHANGE IS ALREADY COSTING LIVES IN EUROPE – AND THE HEALTH RISKS ARE ACCELERATING
Europe is experiencing a sharp rise in heat-related deaths, unsafe working hours, food insecurity, and climate sensitive infectious disease risks. Vulnerable groups including infants, older people, low-income households and outdoor workers are being hit first and hardest.
EUROPE’S FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE IS HOLDING BACK PROGRESS AND HARMING HEALTH
New evidence reveals that Europe’s path to a safer, healthier future is being slowed by ongoing dependence on polluting fuels. Despite Europe’s leadership in decarbonisation, fossil fuels and combustion-based heating remain deeply embedded in Europe’s energy systems, leaving Europeans vulnerable to the harms of fossil fuel dependence – from polluted air to economic shocks.
RENEWED MOMENTUM/LEADERSHIP IS REQUIRED TO SECURE A HEALTH FUTURE
Despite a surge in scientific research, engagement from politicians, the public and the media showed concerning decline in 2023. At the same time, climate litigation is emerging as one of the few arenas elevating the health imperative, with the International Court of Justice affirming states’ legal obligations to protect human wellbeing. Europe is still a global leader of climate action, but without renewed momentum on adaptation and mitigation, health gains will stall.
Explore key findings of this year’s Europe report
The 2026 Europe report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: narrowing window for decisive health action
HEALTH HAZARDS, EXPOSURES, AND IMPACTS
A changing climate has profound implications for human health, with more frequent heat waves and extreme weather events, changing patterns of infectious disease transmission, deterioration of food and water resources, impacts on socioeconomic conditions, and the exacerbation of existing health challenges around the world. Indicators in this section track the multiple ways in which climate change threatens human health and wellbeing.
1.1.3 Temperature related mortality
Nearly all parts of the continent (99.6% of sub-country regions) are seeing rising heat‑attributable deaths – reaching an estimated 62,000 deaths in 2024.
1.3.3 Climatic suitability for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika
The overall average risk for dengue outbreaks increased by 297% across Europe during 2015-2024 compared to the baseline period of 1981-2010.
2.2.2 Heat-health early warnings
Days with dangerous levels of heat risk are surging. Daily heat health warnings of extreme heat in Europe increased by 318% in 2015–2024 compared to 1991–2000 (4.3 annual daily extreme warnings in 2015-2024, compared to 1 in 1991-2000), signalling a rapid escalation in periods when the risk of dying due to heat is highest.
ADAPTATION, PLANNING, AND RESILIENCE FOR HEALTH
With climate change increasingly threatening the health and wellbeing of populations in every country, actions to build resilience and adapt to climate change are urgently needed. This section tracks how communities, health systems, and governments are understanding the health risks of climate change, the strategies and resources they are deploying, and how adaptation and resilience measures are being implemented.
2.1.3 City-level climate change risks assessments
In 2023, 174 (83.3%) of 209 responding European cities and municipalities have undertaken a climate risk and vulnerability assessment.
2.2.2 Heat-health early warnings
In 2015-2024, extreme annual warnings increased by 316%, 450%, 198% and 238% in southern, western, eastern and northern Europe, respectively, compared to 1991-2000
2.2.3 Green Space
Living in contact with green spaces are associated with better physical and mental health; they also reduce heat and air pollution exposure in urban areas.
MITIGATION ACTIONS AND HEALTH CO-BENEFITS
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential to limit the health threats of climate change. Simultaneously, many of the interventions required to mitigate and adapt bring enormous co-benefits for human health and wellbeing in the form of cleaner air, healthier diets, and more liveable cities. Tackling climate change could be the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century. Indicators in this section track the world’s efforts to mitigate climate change, and the effective and the health co-benefits of this response.
3.1.2 Coal Phase-Out
After two consecutive years of increase, coal use in Europe declined to 13.6% in total energy supply and to 14.6% in electricity output in 2023, compared to 14.8% and 16.7%, respectively, in 2022.
3.1.3 Renewable and zero-carbon emission electricity
Renewable energy in electricity generation accounted for 21.5% of the total electricity generation in Europe and 27% in EU-27 countries, more than double the share recorded in 2016, 8.4% and 12.9%, respectively.
3.6 Tree cover loss and gain
Tree cover loss increased by 80% during 2014-2023 compared to 2001-2010, driven mainly by forestry.
ECONOMICS AND FINANCE
The health impacts of climate change have profound economic implications. This section tracks the economic costs of the health impacts of climate change and its drivers, as well as the extent to which the world’s economy and financial systems are enabling the transition to a health-promoting, zero-carbon economy.
4.1.1 Temperature and change in labour supply
Outdoor workers in construction and agriculture are at particular risk of reductions in working hours due to increased heat exposure, especially in southern Europe.
4.2.1 Net value of fossil fuel subsidies and carbon prices
Fossil fuel subsidies reached a new high in 2021-2023 compared to 2010, reaching a total of €444 billion in 2023, driven largely by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which spiked fossil fuel prices and forced governments to shield households through energy subsidies.
4.2.2 Clean energy investment
Clean energy investment exceeded fossil fuel investment in Europe by 461% in 2024 (€427 billion compared to €76 billion).
PUBLIC AND POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT
Public and political engagement underpins the foundations of the world’s collective response to climate change, with reductions in global emissions at the speed required by the Paris Agreement depending on engagement from all sectors of society. This working group tracks key actors’ engagement with the links between health and climate change, including in the media, national governments, the corporate sector, and the broader public.The indicators in this section track the links between health and climate change in the media, national governments, the corporate sector, and the broader public.
5.2.1 Public perception of health and climate change
Only 1.2% of public respondents rank both climate change and health as top public priorities in 2023 and 2024.
5.3.1 Engagement with health and climate change in European Parliament
In 2024, out of 4477 speeches only 21 speeches referenced both climate-change and health, compared with 204 mentioning climate change and 341 mentioning health.
5.6 Engagement on health in climate change litigation
Climate litigation has emerged as a powerful platform for elevating the health argument within the broader climate agenda – since 2011 58% (out of 961) of the case documents featured health references.
Professor Joacim Rocklöv,
Co-Director, Lancet Countdown Europe
“Rising heat, worsening household air pollution, exposure to infectious diseases, and growing threats to food security are placing millions of people at risk today – not in a distant future. The choices we make now will decide whether these health impacts worsen quickly or whether we begin moving toward a safer, fairer, and more resilient Europe.”
Dr Hedi Kriit, Research Fellow and lead author, Lancet Countdown Europe
“These widening gaps in climate‑related health risk show that protecting the most vulnerable can’t wait. More countries are planning for health adaptation, but without long‑term, reliable funding, those plans will sit on shelves while the impacts accelerate”
Professor Cathryn Tonne,
Co-Director, Lancet Countdown Europe
“The window for action is narrowing, but Europe has an opportunity to reinforce its decarbonisation leadership and pursue rapid, coordinated and health‑centred climate action to protect lives, reduce inequalities and build a resilient, low‑carbon future.”
Explore our sub-national data sheets
Read our sub-national data for Spain, Portugal, Poland and Germany.
Translated Executive Summaries available to download
Read our Executive Summary in Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Italian and Polish translations.
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report launch event
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