European Public Health Alliance (EPHA)

EPHA welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed revision of the EU renewable energy rules (Directive 2018/2001/EU). The use of renewable energy must be supported and significantly scaled up at an accelerated pace if the EU is to achieve its climate and health ambitions. The transport and buildings sectors are two massive contributors to both air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the EU.

The revision of the EU general pharmaceuticals legislation should aim to address the problems of availability, accessibility and affordability of medicines as well as to incentivise meaningful, public health needs-driven biomedical innovation. Put simply, it should serve the goal of having better and affordable medicines for those who need them.

The climate emergency is a major threat to public health. Runaway climate change will lead to systemic changes in ecological conditions and social dynamics with far-reaching effects on people's health and well-being, including through air pollution, heat waves, floods, water shortages, infectious diseases, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, under-nutrition, mental ill-health and migration.

The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed extension of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) scheme to the transport and building (heating) sectors. The transport and buildings sectors are two massive contributors to both air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the EU.

The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback on the combined roadmap and inception impact assessment (IIA) for the Digital Services Act package: deepening the Internal Market and clarifying responsibilities for digital services.

EPHA welcomes the European Health Data Space as a Commission priority and is pleased that it is seen as a way to increase the ability of digital health to reduce inequalities and provide high-quality healthcare.

The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) is the leading European public health CSO with over 40 members across Europe. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Europe, with substantial societal and economic costs. CVD encompasses cardiac and vascular conditions affecting the heart, arteries, and circulatory system.

The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to sell exclusively zero-emission new vehicles in the EU from 2035. Stricter emissions standards for all petrol and diesel cars and vans are crucial to get to 100% zero emissions mobility. This proposal should ensure that European Union can meet its own Green Deal goals and improve air quality.

The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) strongly supports a comprehensive transition towards sustainable food systems, with health and well-being as a key pillar of sustainability. Considering the new framework for EU food and agricultural policy established by the Farm to Fork Strategy, there is a need to ensure that all EU food-relevant policies and regulations contribute to the aims and priorities therein.

EPHA welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to improve the EU’s refuelling and recharging infrastructure for zero emission new vehicles. Better refuelling and recharging infrastructure are crucial to get to 100% zero emissions mobility. This proposal should ensure that European Union can meet its own Green Deal goals and improve air quality.

The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) welcome the revision of the ecodesign requirements for solid fuel space heaters and the opportunity to provide feedback to the decision-making process. The key messages we would like to emphasise are as follows: 1. The health community should be consulted on relevant product policies 2.

The most fundamental impact of air pollution is on human health while it is also linked to the climate and biodiversity crises and planetary health. Air pollution is a global health challenge that affects us all. It increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancers, dementia and diabetes, causes new asthma cases in children, and damages nearly every organ of our bodies.

Small biotechs, university spin-offs and other research institutions are now at the heart of pharmaceutical R&D conducting the early-stage research, financed by venture capitalists, hedge funds and private equity. Large pharmaceutical companies perform less research in-house while they scan the horizon for promising products and companies. They subsequently acquire them.

EPHA ERS Response to Consultation European Vehicle Emissions Standards Euro 7 for Cars, Vans, Lorries and Buses Cars, vans, lorries and buses are a major source of air pollution in Europe, causing adverse effects on citizens' health. This detrimental effect on health could be averted through robust Euro 7 Vehicle Emission Standards.

The European Public Health Alliance welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to develop stricter emissions standards for all petrol and diesel cars, vans, lorries, and buses. Especially in light of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Union needs a public health driven, green recovery to help fight the climate crisis.

The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) welcome the revision of the ecodesign requirements for solid fuel boilers and the opportunity to provide feedback to the decision-making process. The key messages we would like to emphasise are as follows: 1. The health community should be consulted on relevant product policies 2.

The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) is the largest European public health NGO advocating for better health, present in all European member states via its 81 member organisations, including both European and national organisations.

The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) is a leading European civil society alliance in Brussels, made up of 80 public health NGOs, patient groups, health professionals and disease groups, working to improve health and strengthen the voice of public health in Europe. EPHA welcomes the European Commission's evaluation of excise duty rates and tax structures on alcoholic beverages.

EPHA welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed Social Climate Fund. The Social Climate Fund is a crucial aspect of the European Green Deal. It contributes to simultaneously decarbonize and reduce air pollution by addressing the social impacts of the future inclusion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings and road transport in the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).

The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) is the leading European public health NGO, advocating for better health in Europe. With its 70 members from 18 EU countries, EPHA is active in all policy areas that affect health, including those impacting the social, environmental, political, and commercial determinants of health. EPHA ACKNOWLEDGES 1.

The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) together with Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) welcome the initiative to review this policy. The Inception Impact assessment (IIA) correctly identifies the main problems of the current policy, which have been further highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as several member states with closed borders have noted sharp increases in alcohol or tobacco duty income while…

The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) is encouraged by the current initiative, introduced in the framework of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. EPHA supports the Commission’s assessment that cross-border purchases of tobacco and alcohol can, and do, result in fiscal distortions and negative health effects.

EPHA welcomes the review of Eco-design and Energy labelling for cooking appliances, and the possibility to provide input on this Call for Evidence. This review process represents an immediate opportunity to set strict nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emission limits for appliances and phase out the sale of gas cooking appliances, addressing pollution directly at the source. Please find attached our full answer.

The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) submits this response on behalf of the DisQo anti-discrimination & health equity network, currently listing +60 members/supports. The network recognises racism and discrimination as Fundamental Determinants of Health.