CHILDREN CLIMATE VULNERABILITY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3– Env & Eco)

Context: Children in 98 per cent of African countries are at high risk of being impacted by climate change, according to a new report released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Children in 48 out of 49 African countries assessed were categorised as at ‘high’ or ‘extremely high’ risk of climate change. Key Points of Report

• The analysis utilized the global Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI) to evaluate countries based on the extent of children's exposure to climate and environmental shocks, including cyclones and heatwaves.
• This report underscored the particular susceptibility of children residing in Africa to the impacts of climate change. 
• According to a 2021 UNICEF report, the Central African Republic, Chad, Nigeria, Guinea, Somalia, and Guinea-Bissau are identified as the countries where children face the greatest risk.
• Children in northern Africa tend to encounter heightened risks related to water scarcity and air pollution, whereas those in the western and eastern parts of the continent, especially in tropical regions, are more exposed to vector-borne diseases, heat waves, and riverine flooding.
• UNICEF called on government and intergovernmental institutions, businesses and other stakeholders to prioritise five key sets of actions:
• Strengthen climate resilience of systems providing essential services to protect children and their communities
• Allocate adequate domestic and international funding for child-responsive climate programs
• Equip children and young people with the knowledge and skills required to reduce the worst impacts of climate change
• Involve children in decision-making processes
• Reduce carbon emissions and pollution