The first People and Planet was organized in 2021 online, and it gathered approximately 100 participants. The event followed the Helsinki Declaration of Planetary Health, and the Nature Step to Health programme was launched during the conference.
The second People and Planet was organized in February 2024. Approximately 200 participants from across Europe gathered in the city of Lahti to discuss topical issues related to planetary health.
The People and Planet conference is linked to the Nature Step to Health programme, a 10-year initiative for planetary health in the Lahti region. It combines regional health and environmental targets and brings together various fields and stakeholders to co-create an actionable model and to develop planetary health.
The programme is implemented through communication, support services, and projects in the region. It is coordinated by the Wellbeing Services County of Päijät-Häme, Lahti City, and Lahti University Campus, which is responsible for supporting research, education, and implementation of research findings. The close collaboration between the three coordinating organisations allows swift co-development, research, and action across sectoral boundaries.