Policy and action
“Why would anyone ask us?” Upholding children’s rights in the just green transition — Advocacy Brief
Highlights
This Advocacy Brief brings the voices of children directly into the global conversation on climate action and the green transition. Drawing on fieldwork in Kenya and Pakistan in 2025, complemented by desk research from 2024, it shows how children experience renewable energy projects, land use changes, shifting livelihoods, and the broader impacts of climate change on their daily lives.
The brief underscores that the green transition will not be just unless it is child‑sensitive, rights‑responsive and inclusive. It calls on governments, businesses, civil society and financial actors to:
- Recognize children as rights‑holders and participants in decision‑making
- Integrate child rights into national climate policies and just transition strategies
- Embed child‑responsive due diligence, ethical sourcing and community safeguards in business operations
- Invest in climate‑resilient essential services, youth skills and inclusive green jobs
- Develop accessible grievance mechanisms and ensure meaningful participation of girls and marginalized groups
The title - “Why would anyone ask us?” - captures one of the key findings: children are rarely consulted, despite bearing the highest risks and offering practical, grounded solutions. The brief calls for a global agenda for children in the green transition - across policy, investment, and business action - rooted firmly in their right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
