More than 100 City Leaders sign Cork Call to Action on Climate and Health
07/10/2026
More than 100 Mayors, Deputy Mayors and elected representatives from 60 cities in 22 countries have united behind a bold political commitment to accelerate local action on climate and health.
The Cork Call to Action on Climate and Health contains commitments to local action on nature, food, active travel, housing and preparedness for extreme weather.
Leaders negotiated and agreed the text over two days at the WHO Summit of Mayors on Climate and Health, hosted by Cork City Council and the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Damian Boylan, and the WHO European Healthy Cities Network.
Europe is the fastest-warming region in the world, heating up at around twice the global average.
The Call-to-Action puts cities on the front line of the climate crisis on the front line of the solutions. Signatories committed to five priorities:
- Nature-positive cities: protecting and restoring biodiversity and green and blue spaces and using nature-based solutions.
- Healthier, sustainable food systems: affordable, nutritious food, stronger local food economies and less food waste.
- Active cities: investment in walking, cycling and public transport
- Healthy homes: better housing quality, energy efficiency and affordable, healthy living conditions
- Resilience and preparedness: protecting communities from extreme weather, flooding and heat
Leaders also pledged to put health, equity and climate justice at the centre of local decision-making, so that every community shares in the benefits of climate action.
The Lord Mayor said: “This declaration is a clear show of political leadership from mayors and city leaders across Europe on one of the greatest challenges facing our communities.
“The discussions, workshops and site visits here over the past two days confirmed that climate change isn't a distant or theoretical issue.
“It's already affecting the health of our citizens, and cities have a central role in delivering practical solutions.
“I am proud that Cork has provided the setting for these important conversations and for the development of a united response to this challenge, and I want to thank everyone involved in organising the Summit, and everyone who attended.
“I hope the Cork Call to Action becomes a catalyst for further collaboration and ambition.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin opened the summit and set out Ireland's support for local government action on climate and health.
Katrín Jakobsdóttir, former Prime Minister of Iceland and Chair of the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health, gave the keynote address and led the high-level political discussions, and with Professor Sir Andy Haines, the Commission's chief scientific advisor, she set out how cities can put the Commission's recommendations into practice.
Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD, said: “The Cork Call to Action is a powerful example of political leadership.
“By bringing together more than 100 local political leaders from across Europe, this Summit has demonstrated a shared commitment to protecting both planetary and human health.
“The actions agreed in Cork will help create healthier communities, strengthen resilience and improve quality of life for people across Europe.”
Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of Health Systems at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, said: “Cities are where people feel the impacts of climate change most directly, and where we're seeing some of the most effective solutions.
“The commitment made in Cork by more than 100 political leaders shows a growing recognition that investing in healthy homes, sustainable food, active mobility, nature and resilience is investing in the health and prosperity of future generations.”