Kyynäräinen will present a declaration in which Lahti, Lyon, and the ICLEI organization emphasize the importance of planetary health in addressing the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The core idea of planetary health is to recognize the interdependence between human and environmental well-being.
The declaration calls for an EU-level program and funding to promote planetary health, aiming to build sustainable cities where human and environmental health are in balance. Kyynäräinen stresses the need to broaden health policy and incorporate the principle of human-nature interdependence into EU policies.
Nature Step to Health program combines environmental and health goals
Lahti is already a pioneer in advancing planetary health with its Nature Step to Health program, which combines environmental and health goals for the Lahti region. This program has gained significant international attention, serving as an example for other cities. Lyon has also made a declaration on the same theme and has been actively promoting comprehensive health ever since.
The declaration continues the discussion on planetary health initiated at the People and Planet conference held in Lahti in February 2024. Lahti is collaborating with Lyon and seven other European cities on the EU-funded One Health for Cities project, which addresses the interconnected well-being of people, animals, and the environment.
More information: ICLEI Europe call for action