Our Mission

The ESC is taking decisive action in an era where air and noise pollution, and climate change pose growing threats to public health – particularly cardiovascular health. Environmental sustainability is one of the six strategic priorities outlined in the ESC Strategic Plan 2023–2028, guiding our commitment to long-term impact. 

The ESC Task Force on Environment and Sustainability unites a diverse team of experts. Our members include environmental specialists – such as atmospheric chemists and heart-healthy city, and transportation noise experts – as well as cardiologists, prevention specialists, and public health advocates. Together, we are dedicated to understanding the complex relationship between environmental factors and cardiovascular disease, and to drive solutions that safeguard heart health worldwide. 

Our Roadmap for the Next Two Years 

Our work will unfolds in three key phases: 

1. Raising Awareness

We aim to place environmental health at the forefront of cardiovascular conversations by: 

• Publishing key findings on how environmental factors influence heart health 
• Launching the Green Corner in the European Heart Journal, dedicated to environment-related cardiovascular research 
• Increasing the visibility of environmental health issues at ESC Congress and other major scientific events 

      2. Advocating and Collaborating 

Beyond awareness, we will: 

• Advocate for increased research into environmental determinants of cardiovascular disease 
• Engage with policymakers to promote heart-healthy environmental strategies 
• Strengthen global collaborations with key organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), European Environment Agency (EEA), American Heart Association (AHA), American College of Cardiology (ACC), and the World Heart Federation (WHF)

      3. Measuring and Sustaining Impact

We are committed to leading by example by: 

• Assessing and reducing the ESC’s own carbon footprint 
• Monitoring and sustaining progress over time 
• Laying the groundwork for future initiatives to ensure long-term, positive impact on cardiovascular and planetary health 

Read our article in CardioPulse that outlines how we plan to shape this vision: Championing environmental sustainability in cardiology: the ESC Task Force’s vision for a healthier future. A Task Force with a mission. 

Why it Matters

Environmental threats are no longer future concerns – they are here now, contributing to the global burden of cardiovascular disease. The ESC Sustainability Task Force is committed to driving action, influencing policy, and supporting research to protect cardiovascular health in a rapidly changing world. 

Latest Resources

The impact of Harmful Noise on CVD

A new report by the European Environment Agency reveals that over 20% of Europeans are exposed to harmful levels of noise pollution, primarily from transport. The health implications are serious and wide-ranging.

Read more in our press release 

ACNAP 2025 

Task Force Composition

Chairperson: Thomas Münzel, Mainz, Germany

Thomas Münzel, MD, is a Senior Professor and Environmental Cardiologist in the Department of Cardiology at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany. From 2004 to 2023, he served as the Director of the department.
Since 2011, his research has centered on environmental risk factors for cardiovascular disease with focus on aircraft noise and air pollution.

See his profile and contributions on ESC 365.

Co-Chairperson: Massimo Piepoli, Milan, Italy

Members

• Mark Miller, Edinburgh, UK
• Mette Sørensen, Copenhagen, Denmark
• Ilonca Vaartjes, Utrecht, Netherlands (The)
• Ana Abreu, Portugal
• Jos Lelieveld,  Mainz, Germany 
• Paul Dendale, Hasselt, Belgium
• Alexandra Schneider, Munich, Germany
• Sanjay Rajagopalan, Cleveland, United States of America
• Gerardo Sanchez, European Environment Agency, Denmark
• Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, Barcelona, Spain
• Rocco A. Montone, Rome, Italy
• Ana Filipa Gomes, Portugal