A threat to progress: confronting the effects of climate change on child health and well-being

Climate change is impacting almost every aspect of child health and well-being from pregnancy to adolescence. Children are disproportionately affected by climate change because they are uniquely vulnerable to environmental hazards compared to adults.

While the evidence on the impact of climate change on children’s health and well-being is growing, research often focuses on the effects of individual hazards. This report aims to provide a comprehensive ‘stocktake’ of the impacts of climate change on children across six major hazards that impact their health and well-being: extreme heat, droughts, wildfires, floods and storms, air pollution and ecosystem changes. It provides an assessment of the Children’s Climate Risk Index

The report makes three recommendations with accompanying specific actions:

• Reduce emissions to meet 1.5°C degree threshold ensuring the best interest of the child
• Protect children from the impact of climate change
• Prioritize child health and well-being in climate policy, investment and action