One Health Summit in Lyon Calls for Science-Driven Environmental Health Policies and Engaging Voters on Climate Action

The One Health Summit, held in Lyon on April 6-7 under France’s G7 presidency, has spotlighted the urgent need to ground public health and environmental policies in scientific research. A coalition of medical and scientific societies, alongside public research organizations, emphasized that environmental health policies must be guided by validated scientific data to effectively address ongoing environmental challenges in France. This collective criticized the controversial Duplomb law, which reintroduced two previously banned insecticides despite widespread scientific warnings and opposition from two million citizens, highlighting a disconnect between political decisions and scientific counsel.

Parallel to this summit, recent research examining climate policy acceptance across 13 European Union countries underscores the critical role of policy design in securing public support. The study, based on responses from nearly 19,000 adults, reveals a "conditional middle" comprising about one-third of voters who are influenced by how climate policies are presented rather than predetermined by ideology. These voters prefer policies that highlight personal benefits and fairness, favoring subsidies and investments over direct costs like taxes.

Specifically, the study found that visible costs to individuals reduce policy acceptability, while collective benefits, such as a European railway fund proposal receiving 77% approval, drive support. With 71% of conditional voters participating in the 2024 European elections, their sway is pivotal for the democratic legitimacy of climate measures. The research suggests that emphasizing fairness and flexible instruments can transform silent majorities into active supporters for ambitious climate goals set for 2040.

Together, insights from the One Health Summit and public opinion studies make clear that France’s environmental health and climate policies must translate scientific knowledge into concrete political action while carefully designing measures that engage and reassure the crucial segment of voters who hold the key to majority support. As the summit encourages the operationalization of the One Health approach, understanding voter priorities and addressing policy design concerns remain central to advancing France’s environment and public health agenda.