Ahead of the publication of the 2026 Europe Lancet Countdown report on health and climate change, we highlight key messages alongside the expertise of CMCC scientist Shouro Dasgupta , a contributing author of the report and leading expert on the economic impacts of climate change on health, whose work helps translate climate risks into measurable implications for people’s lives and for health systems’ preparedness. Dasgupta has contributed to new research on heat impacts on human lives, including the recent study “ Heat prevention plans help save lives ,” underscoring the urgent need for effective protective measures.
Climate change is already cutting jobs, raising food insecurity, and slowing Europe’s economy
“The most urgent priorities are clear: Europe needs legally binding heat protections for workers, with early warnings directly linked to enforceable workplace safety standards, especially in high-risk sectors like agriculture and construction. At the same time, social protection systems must be strengthened to respond to climate shocks – through income support, food assistance, and school meal programmes. And ultimately, none of this will be enough without rapid and sustained emissions reductions.”
— Shouro Dasgupta, CMCC Scientist
The 2026 Lancet report on Europe finds that climate change is already reshaping livelihoods, health, and economic stability across the continent.
Labour, heat and economic productivity
Rising temperatures are already reducing the number of hours people can work and affecting economic output across Europe.
Food insecurity and affordability
Climate extremes are increasing food insecurity in Europe primarily through prices and diet quality , not absolute shortages.
“The mechanism is primarily through food prices and dietary affordability: heatwaves and droughts reduce yields and quality of fruits and vegetables, push up prices, and make it harder for households to maintain a healthy, diverse diet.” — Shouro Dasgupta
Inequality and unequal exposure
Climate impacts are not evenly distributed across Europe.
The Lancet Public Health
The 2026 Europe report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: narrowing window for decisive health action
22-Apr-2026