16th September 2025
As momentum builds towards the next Welsh Government elections, we’ve written to the leaders of all parties and called on them to commit to strong action to deliver a healthier, resilient and more equal Wales through maximising the co-benefits to health of addressing the climate and nature crisis.
Evidence of climate change and its impacts on health are already being seen in Wales and the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related events pose significant challenges to Wales’ healthcare system.
Almost 600 people are estimated to have died prematurely in England and Wales during the June 2025 heatwave and more than 3,000 excess deaths were recorded during the summer heatwaves of 2022. Wales has also suffered from multiple flooding incidents over the last five years. One in seven properties are at risk of flooding and this will rapidly worsen without immediate action. The burden of long-term air pollution exposure is estimated to result in 1000-1400 deaths annually in Wales. The increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related events pose significant challenges to Wales’ healthcare system and those already experiencing health inequality will be impacted the most.
The Government elected in 2026 must capitalise on opportunities that both keep Wales on track to achieve its target to reach net zero emissions by 2050, support the goals of the Well-Being of Future Generations Act, and deliver its mission to become a Marmot nation. Failure to act now will cost lives and our economy. Bold action to deliver meaningful change will reap economic, environmental and health rewards for the long-term.
Protecting health and our health service will require action that delivers:
- An accelerated transition to clean energy
- Low-carbon, energy efficient homes
- Clean ways to travel
- A resilient, sustainable, healthy food system
- A healthy natural environment
- Sustainable health and care services