Specialist nurses at the frontline of the climate crisis

Background: Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is an immediate and accelerating public health emergency with catastrophic consequences for human health and survival. Among these growing challenges, specialist nurses are emerging as vital, yet under-recognised actors at the frontlines of the climate emergency. Their roles are expanding far beyond clinical care: they are responding to heat-related illness, treating respiratory diseases exacerbated by air pollution, supporting communities displaced by disasters, and offering psychosocial care in the wake of climate trauma. Methodes: Literature review was performed to make analysis of current studies about influence of health care to climate changes. During the 7th congress of European Specialist Nurses Organization 29 – 31 May 2025, workshop was held with intensive discussion about the global climate crisis and specialist nurses. Results: As a result of literature review and following the workshop it was decided to launch Zagreb Declaration on climate change and the impact of specialist nurses, and to establish Climate Changes Committee who will work on further research. Conclusions: Climate change is here—disrupting lives, overwhelming health systems, and intensifying suffering. In this escalating emergency, specialist nurses are not just caregivers; they are witnesses, advocates, educators, and protectors. Education systems must embed environmental health into every level of nursing training. Healthcare institutions must empower nurses to lead sustainability initiatives and include them in disaster planning and policy-making. Governments must recognise specialist nurses as essential actors in national and international climate strategies.