Climate Change and the WFG Act. Opportunities for Environmental Public Health Engagement

Transcription

1 Climate Change and the WFG Act. Opportunities for Environmental Public Health Engagement All Nations Centre 21 st March 2016 Kristian James MPH, CMCIEH Principal Environmental Public Health Specialist

2 Outline Climate change linked to WFG Act Overview of climate change impacts on Wales Examples of current approaches to climate change (CC) Suggested opportunities for environmental public health engagement

3 WFG Act A Resilient Wales A nation which maintains and enhances a biodiverse natural environment with healthy functioning ecosystems that support social, economic and ecological resilience and the capacity to adapt to change (for example climate change)

4 WFG Act Future Trends Report Ministers must publish a Future Trends Report containing: a. Predictions of likely future trends in social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales; and b. Any related analytical data and information that the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate. In preparing the report, Ministers must take account of the United Nations sustainable development goals and the impact of climate change on Wales.

5 Public Service Boards Must improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well being of its area by working to achieve the well-being goals Assess the state... Setting objectives... Sustainable Development Principle

6 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) The Synthesis Report [2014] if emissions are not reduced we risk not only dangerous, but potentially irreversible climate change. not simply an environmental issue, but one that has widespread social and economic implications. The risks being generally greater for disadvantaged people and communities. the longer we wait to take action, the harder and more expensive it will be.

7 Climate Change Annual Report 2014 (WG)

8 CCRA 2012 key potential health effects in Wales Milder winters decrease in cold-related deaths & illnesses. less air pollution? Hotter summers Increased ground-level ozone in summer Warmer, drier summers more heat-related deaths & hospital admissions NB elderly & long-term sick may exacerbate existing respiratory conditions increase in outdoor activities. health benefits may outweigh potential increase in skin cancer caused by changes in sunlight, UV light and cloud cover Floods increasing mental health problems, significant disruption to healthcare provision

9 Key potential health effects for Welsh population CCRA Wales 2012 Reduction in cold-related deaths/yr between 300 & 2000 by 2050s (current figure 1800 to 3500 deaths/yr) Increase in heat-related deaths/yr between 20 & 300 by 2050s, rising to 30 and 1000 by 2080s (current figure about 40 deaths/yr) Hospitals at significant likelihood of flooding between 12% & 18% by 2080s (current figure 10%).

10 Media images theguardian.com heart.co.uk mailonsunday.co.uk demotix.com

11 CC Actions Mitigation (reducing carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases) Adaptation

12 Adaptation e.g. Extreme Weather Guidance Part 1 Extreme Cold Weather Alert & Advice Health & Social care Professionals Advice for the Public Part 2 Extreme Hot Weather Alert & Advice Extreme Hot Weather Alert Health & Social Care Professionals Public Health Advice Organising Large Public Events Looking After Children Part 3 Flooding Advice General information following a flood How to clean up safely following floods Flooding & mental health: essential information for front-line responders General information about mental health following floods Coping without mains water

13 People & Built Environment Additional Health Risks for CCRA 2017 Buildings Overheating Indoor Air Quality Ground Instability e.g. Landslip Transport Flooding & rain damage Health Protection Settlements & Communities Outdoor Risks (Air pollution Urban Heat Islands) Flood Risk Emergency Preparedness Water use and supply (including drought) Food Chain Places & cultural values links to health & wellbeing Vector-borne diseases e.g. mosquitoes, ticks Health & Social Care Sectors Heat-related mortality/morbidity Risks to health infrastructure (overheating, Cold-related mortality/morbidity flooding) Air quality (ozone, Short Lived Climate Demand on health services Pollutants) (respiratory health, allergies, A&E, mental Food borne disease (behaviour, seasonality) health) Waterborne diseases (NB algal blooms) Social care (vulnerability, aging population) UV radiation risks

14 Other legislative opportunities? The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 Strengthen existing governance arrangements for improving well-being and needs of population now, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The Environment (Wales) Bill To plan and manage natural resources in a more proactive, sustainable and joined-up way. Water Strategy for Wales WG s vision to ensure Wales continues to have a thriving water environment, sustainably managed to support healthy communities, businesses & environment Public Health Bill Focuses on improving health over the life course, building community assets for health, regulation for health Planning (Wales) Bill Legislative changes to reform the planning system to ensure it is fair, resilient and enables development

15 Opportunities to engage with WFG Act? Engage with CC Risk Assessment process Develop mechanisms for exchanging evidence & best practice / research Welsh Government multidisciplinary CC & Health Working Group CC on agendas at WHoEHG Expert Groups / Technical Panels? Use of expertise? Planning & Permitting consultations (appropriate use of Health Impact Assessments) Identify cross cutting opportunities

16 END Kristian James Prif Arbenigwr Iechyd Cyhoeddus Amgylcheddol Principal Environmental Public Health Specialist Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru / Teml Heddwch ac Iechyd, Parc Cathays, Caerdydd CF10 3NW Temple of Peace and Health, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NW Tel: