Climate Change and Health

Climate Change and Health

Climate change has been identified as the biggest global threat to health in the 21st century, among others by the Marmot team at the Institute of Equity at University College London and the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Impacts in Northern Ireland include mental health risks from flooding, health risks associated with more unpredictable and extreme weather events and risks arising from potential drought in summer.

Climate Change and Health Partnership

Belfast Healthy Cities provides the secretariat for the regional Climate Change and Health Partnership, which is chaired by the Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety. The partnership is focused on capacity building and information sharing on the health impacts of climate change. This programme has included capacity building sessions on topics from flooding and health to sustainable food. It has also provided evidence briefings on climate change and health. The current focus is on identifying key areas for further work.

The Climate Change and Health Partnership meets quarterly.

Climate Change and Health Partnership membership

Belfast Food Network

As part of our work on climate change and health, Belfast Healthy Cities is a member of advisory group of the Belfast Food Network and also contributes on the theme of food poverty. The network aims to make Belfast a Sustainable Food City by promoting sustainable food as a means of enabling positive social, economic and environmental benefits for Belfast and beyond. 

Read 'Enough is Enough' Food Poverty Scoping Exercise      More information about Belfast Food Network