10.E. Round table: Public health and climate change: a litigation toolkit for public health practitioners

Abstract Climate change is recognised as a public health emergency and one of the most significant challenges to the public's and the planet's health. The health impacts are well documented by the IPCC (1990-2023), Lancet Countdown (2015-2022) and a significant and growing body of research. In the absence of practical, enforceable international sanctions, litigation to oblige governments and private actors to address pollution and other environmental harms has developed over decades and is a strong domain of legal policy and practice in many countries. Cases are increasingly taken to international courts and tribunals. Litigation is also now well-recognised as a tool and strategy for climate action. In addition to environmental harms, legal arguments are now referencing the health impacts on populations, including children and future generations. The public health community has a longstanding interest and expertise in measuring, monitoring and evaluating climate change and its impacts on the health of people and the planet. However public health professionals are often unaware of the opportunities offered by litigation in local,