About this cluster
The Planetary Health Cluster was launched in 2024 (with €30 million in EU funding) and includes 5 projects selected under call HORIZON-HLTH-2023-ENVHLTH-02-01 of Horizon Europe:
The cluster is expected to continue its activities until 2028, supporting and informing evidence-based policies rooted in the planetary health principles and promoting holistic sustainability and health resilience. The Planetary Health Cluster is a comprehensive initiative focused on addressing the impact of human activities on Earth’s natural systems and their subsequent effects on health and biodiversity.
Background
Human activities, such as deforestation, pollution and urbanization, have increasingly disrupted the Earth's natural systems, posing significant threats to both human health and biodiversity. These disruptions contribute to climate change, habitat loss, and declining ecosystem services. To address these challenges, the Planetary Health approach seeks to integrate human, environmental and ecosystem health.
The EU has been a global leader in recognising and addressing the relationship between environmental degradation and public health. Initiatives like the European Green Deal and the Biodiversity Strategy 2030 have set ambitious targets to restore ecosystems, reduce pollution and transition to a more sustainable economy.
In particular, the EU's focus on air quality improvement, water safety, and sustainable agriculture has demonstrated how policy-driven efforts can simultaneously benefit the environment and public health. Collaborative research networks have also explored the link between biodiversity and human well-being, promoting the preservation and monitoring of natural habitats to reduce the risks of zoonotic diseases.