The climate crisis is a health crisis - which is why we need climate-competent healthcare professionals. A broad alliance of representatives from organisations in the healthcare sector handed over an open letter to Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler and Health Minister Johannes Rauch on 21 April. The letter calls on policymakers to create the framework conditions for the rapid integration of climate competencies into the initial, continuing, and further training of all those working in the healthcare sector.

Willi Haas from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna emphasised that the climate crisis is the greatest threat to public health in the 21st century. This applies globally, in Europe - and in Austria too. One of the key prerequisites for tackling these climate-related health crises is a healthcare sector that is able to act competently.

The broad support for the open letter from 30 organisations across various areas of the healthcare sector clearly demonstrates the relevance and urgency of the demands, emphasised Johanna Schauer-Berg from Health for Future Austria.