Climate Change and Health: Directions for policy

On May 21, 2026, the Health Council of the Netherlands and the Netherlands Scientific Climate Council (WKR) published a joint advisory report called 'Climate Change and Health: Directions for policy'. The report highlights that climate change is not only an environmental challenge, but also an increasing public health concern. It calls for stronger policy to protect people from heat, extreme weather, infectious diseases, and other climate-related health risks. Particular attention is given to groups that are less able to avoid these risks, as well as to residents of the Caribbean Netherlands where the impacts of climate change are urgent.