Half of world's children face at least three climate threats, UNICEF report finds

A new report from UNICEF reveals that a staggering 1.1 billion children worldwide, nearly half of the global child population, are exposed to at least three severe climate threats. These dangers jeopardize their education, health, and even their very survival.

The "Children's Climate Risk Report 2026" meticulously details children's vulnerability to eight of the most frequent climate hazards: coastal flooding, droughts, extreme heat, wildfires, heatwaves, riverine flooding, sand and dust storms, and tropical storms. The report highlights that while almost every child globally faces at least one climate threat, over 4 million are exposed to as many as six.

Asia, particularly countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, presents the most severe situation, with children facing multiple, intense climate threats simultaneously. In Africa's Sahel region, over 4 million children are particularly vulnerable to a triple threat of heatwaves, extreme heat, and sand and dust storms. Even high-income nations are not immune; in Italy, more than 6 million children are at risk from prolonged heatwaves or droughts.

The report also links climate change effects to air pollution and malaria, with nearly all children worldwide affected by air pollution and around 1 billion exposed to malaria. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated that the analysis will aid governments in better planning and more effective investment. The agency calls for ambitious emission reduction measures, climate-resilient educational and health facilities, guaranteed food security, strengthened water and sanitation services, and efficient early warning systems.

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this analysis can help governments and decision-makers plan better and invest more effectively.