The Mayor of Galway City, Councillor Helen Ogbu, has voiced her support for the Cork Call to Action on Climate and Health, joining more than 100 mayors, deputy mayors and elected representatives from 60 cities across 22 European countries in committing to local action on the growing climate and health crisis.
The commitments were agreed during the two-day World Health Organization (WHO ) Summit of Mayors on Climate and Health in Cork, hosted by Cork City Council and the WHO European Healthy Cities Network. The initiative calls on cities to put public health, climate justice and equality at the heart of local decision-making.
Speaking following the summit, Mayor Ogbu emphasised the importance of protecting communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
“As Mayor of Galway City, I am proud to join city leaders across Ireland and Europe in signing the Cork Call to Action and committing to addressing one of the most urgent crises of our time.
“The discussions, workshops and site visits during the summit reminded us that climate change is not a distant or theoretical issue. It is already affecting the health of our people, biodiversity and our planet.
“Of greatest importance is that efforts to mitigate climate change focus on those who are most vulnerable, including our young people, lower-income communities, people with disabilities and chronic illnesses, and older adults.”
The Cork Call to Action identifies five priority areas for local action: protecting nature and expanding green spaces; developing healthier and more sustainable food systems; encouraging walking, cycling and public transport; improving housing quality and energy efficiency; and strengthening preparedness for extreme weather, flooding and heat.
For Galway and cities across Europe, these commitments highlight the important connection between environmental sustainability, healthier neighbourhoods and the wellbeing of local communities.
Europe is the fastest-warming region in the world, heating at approximately twice the global average. More than 200,000 people have died from heat across the European Union and associated countries since 2022, with most of those deaths considered preventable.
Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin opened the summit, highlighting Ireland’s support for local government action on climate and health. Former Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Chair of the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health, delivered the keynote address and led high-level political discussions on implementing the Commission’s recommendations.
Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of Health Systems at WHO/Europe, said cities were experiencing climate impacts directly while also developing effective solutions.
She added that investing in healthy homes, sustainable food, active travel, nature and resilience was an investment in the health and prosperity of current and future generations.
Mayor Ogbu’s support places Galway among the European cities committed to advancing practical local action, protecting vulnerable residents and building healthier, more resilient communities for the future.
