Adaptation
According to the IPCC, adaptation means that “in human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects, in order to moderate harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustement to expected climate and its effects.” (2022)
For hospitals, HOPE mainly follows the adaptation to extreme weather events. Adaptation to other crises can be developed in the working areas on cross-border threats or cybersecurity.
In 2025, HOPE is gathering information from its members on the different local adaptations strategies.
On 19 and 20 February 2024, HOPE attended the conference on “Research Perspectives on the Health Impacts of Climate Change”.
Following the Agora in June 2023 which focused on “Climate and Environment for Hospitals and Healthcare Services”, HOPE office prepared a report on “Health in environment and climate adaptation policies” finalised in October 2023.
On 13 May 2020, HOPE attended an online discussion organised by the European Commission Scientific Advice Mechanism on “Adaptation to climate change-related health effects in Europe'”. Draft Recommendations released by the European Commission were discussed, questioning the impact of climate change on health, and to be mitigated through adaptation.
On 12 May 2020, the European Commission released a Roadmap, and on 14 May a Public Consultation, to elaborate a new strategy to help the EU adapt to the effects of climate change.
Mitigation
According to the IPCC, mitigation (of climate change) means a “human intervention to reduce emissions or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases”. (2022)
On 13 May 2024, HOPE office co-organised an online event entitled “Climate Resilience – the Role of the Healthcare Sector”.
On 19 and 20 February 2024, HOPE attended the conference on “Research Perspectives on the Health Impacts of Climate Change”.
Following the Agora in June 2023 which focused on “Climate and Environment for Hospitals and Healthcare Services”, HOPE office prepared a report on “Health in environment and climate adaptation policies” finalised in October 2023.
HOPE follows the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) Directive – which entered into force on 6 June 2023 – as well as the Regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases.