Program
Location: Auditorium, Historical Building University of Barcelona
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585 – 08007 Barcelona
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585 – 08007 Barcelona
8:30h Welcome coffee
9:00 – 9:45h Opening, Introduction, and Objectives of the Symposium
This session will open with a formal welcome from representatives of the host institutions, who will outline their respective commitments to addressing the climate and health crises and the urgency of coordinated policy action. A brief thematic introduction will set the stage for the Symposium, presenting its objectives, structure, and approach, and emphasizing the importance of knowledge sharing and cross-sector collaboration.
Welcome and introduction
David Dalmau, Director, Chair of Health and Climate Change, University of Barcelona / MútuaTerrassa
Javier Padilla, Secretary of State. Ministry of Health. Government of Spain
Silvia Paneque, Minister for Territory. Housing and Ecological Transition. Government of Catalonia.
Joan Guàrdia, Rector University of Barcelona
Antoni Abad, MútuaTerrassa President
Welcome and introduction
David Dalmau, Director, Chair of Health and Climate Change, University of Barcelona / MútuaTerrassa
Javier Padilla, Secretary of State. Ministry of Health. Government of Spain
Silvia Paneque, Minister for Territory. Housing and Ecological Transition. Government of Catalonia.
Joan Guàrdia, Rector University of Barcelona
Antoni Abad, MútuaTerrassa President
9:45 – 11:15h Climate Change and Health: Priority Policies
This session will showcase national and regional strategies for addressing the health impacts of climate change, based on a policy and evidence framework developed by the European Observatory. The Department of Health of the Generalitat of Catalonia and the Spanish Ministry of Health will present their perspectives and policy priorities, along with insights from research conducted at the University of Barcelona. The discussion will highlight key priorities, innovations, and challenges in implementing effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies for health.
Moderator:
Josep Figueras, Emeritus Director, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies
Moderator:
Josep Figueras, Emeritus Director, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies
Presenters
Debate with Presenters and Participants
11.15 - 11:45h Break - Coffee
11:45 – 13:30h The International Health Response to the Climate and Health Crisis: Policies and Priorities
This session will bring together key international actors to share strategies, priorities, and commitments for addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change and health. Discussions will cover global and regional policies, humanitarian responses, and ways to integrate international policy frameworks, foster cooperation between countries, and draw on practical implementation experience to accelerate action.
Moderator:
Ewout Van Ginneken Director, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies
Moderator:
Ewout Van Ginneken Director, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies
Speakers
Debate with Presenters and Participants
13:30 – 14:30h LUNCH
Gardens and Cloister, Historic UB Building.
14:30 – 16:00h Mitigation: Energy Efficiency, Waste Management, and Transport Policies
This session will analyze how the healthcare sector can reduce its environmental footprint through measures such as energy efficiency, improved waste management, and sustainable transportation. Speakers will share practical experiences and lessons learned, explore key barriers and enablers of change, highlight opportunities for policy innovation and cross-sector partnerships, and outline concrete steps toward achieving a clean, zero-emission healthcare sector.
Moderator:
Mercè Segarra, Professor of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering at the University of Barcelona
Keynote:
Erik Ruiz. Health Policy Lead and Head of the Safer Pharma programme. Health Care without Harm Europe.
Moderator:
Mercè Segarra, Professor of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering at the University of Barcelona
Keynote:
Erik Ruiz. Health Policy Lead and Head of the Safer Pharma programme. Health Care without Harm Europe.
Presenters:
Debate with Presenters and Participants
16:00 – 16:30h COFFEE BREAK
16:30 – 18:00h Mitigation: Research and Innovation, Green Technologies and partnerships with the Industry
Building on the previous discussion, this session will explore how research, innovation, and cross-sector and industry partnerships can drive mitigation strategies in the healthcare sector. Speakers will share examples of green technologies, data-driven approaches, and cross-sector partnerships, including the pharmaceutical industry, that are helping to reduce emissions and environmental impact. The session will emphasize actionable solutions, the translation of research into practice, and the development of innovation ecosystems by identifying the policies, incentives, and partnerships needed for effective climate change mitigation in healthcare.
Moderator:
Pedro Gullón, General Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Spain
Keynote:
Fiona Adshead – Chair, Sustainable Healthcare Coalition.
Moderator:
Pedro Gullón, General Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Spain
Keynote:
Fiona Adshead – Chair, Sustainable Healthcare Coalition.
Presenters
Debate with Presenters and Participants
Location: Aula Magna, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona
Av. Diagonal, 643 – 08028 Barcelona
Av. Diagonal, 643 – 08028 Barcelona
8:30h Welcome coffee
9:00 – 10:30h Adaptation: Public Health – Risk Assessment and Prevention
This session will address the public-health dimension of climate change adaptation, focusing on risk assessment and prevention strategies to protect vulnerable populations. It will encourage discussion on how evidence-based risk assessments and targeted prevention measures can be integrated into public-health strategies to safeguard those more at risk from climate change-related health risks.
Moderator:
Tomàs Pérez-Porcuna. Public Health Secretariat. Department of Health, Catalonia
Keynote:
Pierre Masselot. Department of Public Health Environment & Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. London, UK.
Moderator:
Tomàs Pérez-Porcuna. Public Health Secretariat. Department of Health, Catalonia
Keynote:
Pierre Masselot. Department of Public Health Environment & Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. London, UK.
Presenters
Debate with Presenters and Participants
10:30 – 11:00h COFFEE BREAK
11:00 – 12:30h Adaptation: Health System Organization
This session will focus on how health systems can adapt their structures, strategies, and operations to meet the growing challenges of climate change. It will highlight how innovative policies, education, technology, meteorological expertise, and interdisciplinary collaboration can drive the transformation of health systems to effectively respond to the climate crisis.
Moderator:
Pedro Gullón, General Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Spain
Keynote:
Antoni Plasència, General Director for Research and Innovation, Department of Health of Government of Catalonia
Moderator:
Pedro Gullón, General Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Spain
Keynote:
Antoni Plasència, General Director for Research and Innovation, Department of Health of Government of Catalonia
Presenters
Debate with Presenters and Participants
12:30 – 14:00h Conclusions and Call to Action
This session will synthesize the symposium’s key messages into a Conclusions Document compiling policy recommendations, strategic priorities, and opportunities for innovation, research, and collaboration. It will also reaffirm its commitment to action, promote cross-sector partnerships, and help mobilize political will.
To this end, representatives of the organizing institutions will first summarize the forum's conclusions and translate them into concrete policy, legislative, regulatory, and programmatic recommendations from their respective institutional perspectives. An open discussion will then invite participants to refine these proposals and define next steps for their implementation and future lines of research, with a view to their inclusion in the Conclusions Document. The session will conclude with closing reflections on the forum’s overall outcomes, led by the Symposium's organizing institutions.
Moderator:
Josep Figueras, Emeritus Director , European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Brussels
To this end, representatives of the organizing institutions will first summarize the forum's conclusions and translate them into concrete policy, legislative, regulatory, and programmatic recommendations from their respective institutional perspectives. An open discussion will then invite participants to refine these proposals and define next steps for their implementation and future lines of research, with a view to their inclusion in the Conclusions Document. The session will conclude with closing reflections on the forum’s overall outcomes, led by the Symposium's organizing institutions.
Moderator:
Josep Figueras, Emeritus Director , European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Brussels