Medical and non-governmental organisations are pressing the European Union to give more priority to the health repercussions of climate change negotiations, as governments struggle to agree new commitments to tackle global warming before the end of the year.

The Standing Committee of European Doctors, the Health and Environment Alliance, the Climate and Health Council, and Health Care Without Harm presented the European Commission on 6 October with a prescription for a healthy planet.

Their diagnosis identifies overconsumption of fossil fuels and global climate destabilisation. As treatment, they recommend that the EU push for a strong agreement to promote …