Approximately 1.1 billion children worldwide are living under the threat of at least three overlapping and severe climate-related risks, according to UNICEF’s ‘Children’s Climate Risk Index 2026’. These risks endanger their health, education, and chances of survival.
“Children’s lives are being turned upside down by heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and floods. Half of the world’s children are now living with at least three overlapping climate risks that shape their daily lives,” stated UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
Understanding Overlapping Threats
The report introduces a novel approach by detailing where and how intense, multifaceted, and overlapping climate threats impact children and the essential social services they rely on. This provides governments with actionable insights for intervention.
The analysis reveals that nearly every child on Earth faces at least one climate hazard, with over four million children potentially confronting up to six overlapping dangers. Utilizing the latest data, the report maps exposure to eight of the most common climate hazards, including coastal floods, droughts, extreme heat, wildfires, heatwaves, river floods, and sand, dust, and tropical storms.
Key findings indicate that over 296 million children reside in areas affected by all three conditions. The second most prevalent combination, drought, extreme heat, and tropical storms, affects more than 115 million children globally.
Air Pollution Impacts Nearly Every Child Worldwide
Beyond the eight primary climate hazards, the report also examines children’s exposure to air pollution and malaria risks, both of which are exacerbated by climate change impacts.
Data shows that air pollution affects nearly every child globally. Furthermore, one billion children are at risk of malaria, adding another layer of danger for children already grappling with multiple climate threats.
The report emphasizes that without immediate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, climate threats will escalate in frequency and intensity. This will place greater strain on government budgets and systems, ultimately jeopardizing children’s well-being.
Challenges and Solutions in Affected Regions
One of the most severely affected regions is the Sahel in Africa, where over four million children face a triple threat of heatwaves, extreme heat, and sand and dust storms.
Meanwhile, children in Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan are exposed to more intense and multiple climate threats than anywhere else in the world.
Even high-income countries are not immune. In Italy, for example, over six million children are exposed to prolonged heatwaves and drought. While the country demonstrates how investments in climate adaptation can mitigate some risks for children, the report underscores the need for increased action as the climate crisis intensifies.
Triple Threats Demand Triple Action
To safeguard children’s rights from climate threats and adapt to escalating environmental changes, UNICEF calls upon governments, businesses, and relevant stakeholders to:
- Reduce emissions and demonstrate ambitious action by fulfilling existing international commitments based on the best available science.
- Protect children through inclusive climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and loss and damage response; prioritize the resilience of social services and ensure children’s inclusion in national adaptation plans, sector strategies, disaster risk governance, preparedness, and response plans.
- Empower children and young people to meaningfully participate in climate action by investing in climate education, knowledge, and skills, and by strengthening the capacity of decision-makers and experts to respect children’s rights to be heard, freedom of expression, and participation in decisions affecting their lives.
“This analysis can help governments and decision-makers plan better and invest more effectively in resilient services,” stated the UNICEF chief.
“When we strengthen health and education systems, and improve infrastructure with children in mind, we protect them from today’s climate threats and secure their futures.”
