Way forward: children at the centre of climate action

There are practical pathways at different levels for making children at the centre of climate action.

Young children’s needs and voices matter in national resilience action

Mechanisms for prioritising young children’s needs and voices through their caregivers need to be put in place to make national resilience actions inclusive.

Establishing a child-centred focus in climate policy development and planning necessary

While young children are often referred to as the most vulnerable community members within the climate change and environmental degradation context, such framing needs to change with emphasis shifting to seeing children as our most valuable community members.

UNICEF: Gaps between climate policies and young children need to be addressed

Current climate change policies often do not refer to children at all, and if they do refer to children, said policies do not specifically differentiate between the developmental ages or stages (e.g., infancy, toddlers, pre-schoolers etc.).

ECD is a key building block in sustainable development

While it is evident that children are disproportionately impacted by climate change and environmental degradation, in a multitude of ways, what is not clear is the differential impact on young children at distinctive stages of development. 

The climate crisis impinges on children’s rights and wellbeing. Urgent action required

Young children bear the disproportionate impacts of climate change and environmental degradation (CC&ED). This brief illustrates the impact of CC&ED on children's well-being against the components of Nurturing Care Framework. 

Young Children and Climate Change

On day 1 #COP27, we show how young children are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, but  also the most valuable group in the fight against it. We urge leaders at COP27 to recognise this in climate financing discussions! #ECD4Climateresilience #ourchildrenfuture

Watch the video via YouTube: https://youtu.be/XD8LdoL0SX4

Earth day 2022 - Our actions today shape our children’s future

22 April 2022 - On Earth Day we shine a light on how young children are...

Watch the keynote presentations of ARNEC 2022 Virtual Conference

Young children in crisis: addressing the impact of COVID-19, climate change, and environmental degradation.

Prescription to Play (P2P) Project Advocacy Series

Prescription to Play (P2P) Advocacy Series 1