Govt to highlight climate change cost to health Policies to address harmful climate change and create a low carbon economy could also help public health, according to the government.

Gillian Merron, the UK's public health minister, will attend a World Health Organisation conference today (March 10th), to debate how environmental policies and public health policies can cross over to become cost-effective.

According to the government, unmitigated climate change resulting in more heatwaves, flooding and higher concentrations of ground-level ozone will have a serious ongoing impact on public health.

To support the call for more cross-departmental policies, ministers will also highlight how recent measures to cut carbon emissions could be positive for health. For example, reducing transport emissions is likely to alleviate allergies.

In addition, improving housing insulation will mean fewer cold and heat-related deaths.

Ms Merron said today: "Moves to improve public health can help tackle climate change.

"The government's Change4Life movement, which is focused on fighting obesity, also improves the environment by encouraging people to walk and cycle more. There is already good work going on but more needs to be done."

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