Rising temperatures, air pollution, and climate threats are serious challenges for respiratory health. In May 2025, WeACT Con brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers, patient representatives including EFA, and sustainability experts in Berlin to discuss collaboration and sustainable healthcare systems.
The two-day conference, held under the theme “Thinking and Acting Beyond Borders,” focused on advancing healthcare development, identifying conflicts and opportunities, and sharing environmentally friendly solutions that are relevant for people living with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Linking climate change and health equity
EFA President, Marcia Podestà, chaired the international plenary session and opened the discussion on how climate change increases risks for people with chronic conditions. “Breath is the beginning of everything,” she said, setting the tone for urgent calls to integrate health and climate policies to protect vulnerable populations, “supporting patients with chronic respiratory diseases require coordinated action that goes beyond borders and sectors, laying the foundation for sustainable healthcare systems of the future”.
Marcia Podestà, EFA President
Prof. Dr. Alena M. Buyx highlighted the ethical dimensions of climate change, emphasizing its unequal effects on health equity. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Ilona Kickbusch presented the World Health Organization’s perspective, stressing the importance of a “health in all policies” approach to sustainable healthcare worldwide.
The impact of air pollution on respiratory diseases
Dr. Aoife Kirk, medical doctor and co-founder of Irish Doctors for the Environment, explained the global health risks posed by air pollution. She noted that 99% of the global population lives with pollutant levels above WHO guidelines. In 2020, air pollution caused 4.7 million deaths, with 1.3 million linked directly to fossil fuel use. Despite EU air quality targets, she emphasised that that air pollution in Europe contributes to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, pregnancy complications, cognitive decline, and other health issues, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups. She urged health professionals to take active roles in advocating for clean energy policies and educating patients about environmental risks.
Prioritising chronic respiratory diseases globally
José Luis Castro, WHO Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases, highlighted that over 600 million people worldwide live with conditions such as asthma and COPD, leading to nearly 4 million deaths annually. He emphasised that despite the availability of effective treatments and tools, chronic respiratory diseases remain underdiagnosed and underfunded, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Mr. Castro called for integrated, multisectoral action to include respiratory diseases in national health plans, improve access to diagnosis and treatment, and address root causes like pollution and tobacco use. He stressed the urgent need for policy reforms including healthcare system improvements to provide equitable care.
WeACT Con 2025 highlighted the critical need for cross-sector collaboration and policy integration to protect respiratory health amid environmental change.