In Focus: Children, climate change and environmental degradation

The triple planetary crisis of climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss has put virtually every child in the world at risk. Around 1 billion children – nearly half of the world’s 2.2 billion children – now face extreme risks to their ability to survive, grow and thrive. The combined impact of these crises on children demands a combined response. Yet children are often treated as an afterthought in the response to climate change and environmental degradation. UNICEF works to ensure that they are front and centre.

This report lays out the key facts on how climate change impacts children, the key policy frameworks that help uphold children's rights, the existing challenges facing children, as well as UNICEF's work to support children. The report also includes a call to action that children must be at the heart of policies and action on climate change and environmental degradation. UNICEF calls for greater recognition of children as a vulnerable group that needs special protection and investment, recognition of their crucial role as agents of change, and recognition of the need to strengthen the essential services they rely on, including education, social protection, WASH and health.