Children, the most vulnerable and affected group in the face of the climate crisis, are being failed by global climate funding commitments. Despite their disproportionate exposure to climate risks, a new report from the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) coalition, consisting of Plan International, Save the Children, and UNICEF, reveals that only a meager 2.4 percent of key global climate funds are directed towards child-responsive activities. This alarming finding sheds light on the urgent need to prioritize the needs of children and empower them as agents of change in the fight against climate change.
The Burden on Children: According to UNICEF's Children's Climate Risk Index, over a billion children are at extremely high risk from the impacts of the climate crisis. Floods, water scarcity, diseases, and disrupted access to education and healthcare are just some of the challenges faced by children in climate hotspots. Yet, their voices and perspectives are often overlooked in decision-making processes.
Insufficient Climate Finance: The report, titled "Falling short: addressing the climate finance gap for children," evaluated climate finance from key multilateral climate funds serving the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement. Shockingly, only 2.4 percent of the funds met the criteria of addressing children's distinct and heightened risks, strengthening resilience of child-critical social services, and empowering children as change agents. This amounted to a mere $1.2 billion over a 17-year period until March 2023. It is important to note that this estimate is likely an overestimate, implying an even smaller allocation of funds meeting the requirements.
Urgent Need for Change: The consequences of this underinvestment in children's climate adaptation are dire. Children, particularly girls, who are disproportionately affected, need urgent and effective investments to mitigate both the short and long-term impacts of climate change. The report stresses the need for a shift in current spending patterns to ensure children's needs are addressed.
Putting Child Rights at the Heart of Climate Finance: Children, who contribute the least to climate change but suffer its most severe consequences, deserve to have their rights prioritized in climate finance decisions. Kelley Toole, Global Head of Climate Change at Save the Children, emphasizes the importance of considering the needs and perspectives of children to tackle the climate crisis effectively. Allocating funds for child-responsive projects and ensuring meaningful participation of girls are vital steps towards a more equitable and sustainable future.
Role of Multilateral Climate Funds: Although multilateral climate funds provide a relatively small share of overall climate finance, their influence extends beyond financial contributions. These funds play a crucial role in setting the agenda, catalyzing investments, and coordinating efforts by other public and private finance institutions. Therefore, it is imperative that they consider the needs of children and prioritize their well-being in climate-related projects.
Voices of Impacted Children: The report incorporates the voices of children from around the world, highlighting their increased risks due to climate change. Stories of girls unable to cross flooded rivers to attend school or having to endure long walks, and children being forced into labor due to large-scale disasters underscore the urgent need for action. Children are not passive victims but active stakeholders who must be heard and involved in climate decision-making processes.
Calls to Action: The CERI coalition urges multilateral climate funds and other climate finance providers to swiftly address the adaptation gap. Specifically, they call for funding to cover losses and damages caused by climate change while prioritizing the well-being of children and critical social services that support them. The focus should be on reaching and assisting the most vulnerable children who face high risks due to climate impacts.
by Giulio Atzori
About the author: After volunteering at Unicef Maastricht Student Team, I was appointed to the board as Head of Fundraising during the summer of 2022, and remained in charge for the first period of the 2022/2023 academic year. I chose to join UNICEF USTM as I felt the need to help children around the world who, for one reason or another, aren't able to develop their full potential as most European children can. The experience in UNICEF USTM was enriching; from doing doorbell ringing for donations to assembling the Fundraising Committee, I learnt a lot, and this experience will forever leave a trace on me. I encourage the next generations of Maastricht University's students to join the team as volunteers, committee members or board members.
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