Keynote Address at WHO Summit of Mayors

6 Oct 2026

Brian delivered a keynote address on ‘Healthy Homes for Stronger Communities at the WHO Summit of Mayors.

Brian was delighted to participate in the World Health Organization Summit of Mayors on Climate and Health in Cork City Council - Comhairle Cathrach Chorcaí today.

Thanks to Denise Cahill for the invitation to deliver a keynote address on ‘Healthy Homes for Stronger Communities’ and joined a great panel discussion wonderfully moderated by Philip Boucher-Hayes that included Dagur B. Eggertsson, Ellie C., Emma Stubbs and #Oliver_Deasy.

Brian spoke about
1) how our homes both a) contribute to (50% of our homes in the EU are heated using fossil fuels) and b) are susceptible to climate change;

2) the policy progress we have made in improved building regulations and building retrofitting that has resulted in nearly halving greenhouse gas emissions from buildings over the past twenty years in the EU, contributing to the 57% reduction in air pollution related deaths, increased comfort, well being and energy affordability of our homes;

3) the need to ensure a just transition rebalancing in home energy upgrades going forward to reduce the vulnerability of the 35-70 million people in the EU experiencing energy poverty.