UNICEF Report Warns 1.1 Bln Children Face Multiple Climate Threats Worldwide

Nearly 1.1 billion children, representing almost half of the world's child population, are exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, according to UNICEF's newly released "Children's Climate Risk Report 2026."

The report found that drought, extreme heat exceeding 35 degrees Celsius, and prolonged heatwaves are among the most common climate threats affecting children globally. UNICEF also noted that almost every child in the world is exposed to at least one climate-related hazard.

According to the United Nations children's agency, young people are particularly vulnerable to climate change because their bodies are less capable of coping with extreme environmental conditions. 

Children heat up more quickly than adults, sweat less efficiently, breathe faster, and require more food and water relative to their body weight. Their chances of surviving extreme weather events are also generally lower.

The report assessed children's exposure to eight major climate hazards, including drought, extreme heat, heatwaves, wildfires, river and coastal flooding, tropical cyclones, and dust and sandstorms.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said the accompanying Climate Risk Atlas provides valuable data on where climate hazards occur and how severe they are, helping governments and policymakers make more informed decisions regarding investments in critical public services and climate adaptation measures.

The report highlighted how climate threats frequently overlap and reinforce one another. Approximately 300 million children currently live in areas simultaneously affected by drought, extreme heat, and heatwaves. Meanwhile, more than 115 million children face the combined risks of drought, extreme heat, and tropical storms.

Africa's Sahel region was identified as one of the areas most severely affected by multiple climate hazards. 

More than four million children there are exposed at the same time to heatwaves, extreme temperatures, and dust storms. In Asia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan were singled out as particularly vulnerable countries.

Christian Schneider, head of UNICEF Germany, stressed that children and young people contribute the least to climate change yet suffer its consequences disproportionately. 

He called on governments, including Germany's, to strengthen climate action efforts and provide greater support to countries facing the most severe climate-related challenges.

The report underscores growing concerns among international organizations that climate change is increasingly becoming a child rights issue, with millions of young people facing heightened risks to their health, education, safety, and future development.