Child- and youth-sensitive Nationally Determined Contributions

UNICEF guidance for developing NDCs for and with children and young people

Young girls from Guatemala planting trees
UNICEF/UNI498512/Flores

About

Despite contributing the least to climate change, children and young people bear a disproportionate burden of its impacts. Yet, they are too often excluded from crucial climate policies and policymaking. Today:

  • Fewer than half of all Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) consider the specific strengths, needs and roles in the fight against the climate crisis; 
  • Two out of every five NDCs do not address children and young people's unique climate vulnerabilities across core social sectors that are essential for children; and 
  • A mere three percent of NDCs mention involving children in the NDC development process.


Child- and youth-sensitive Nationally Determined Contributions: Guidance for developing Nationally Determined Contributions for and with children and young people provides advice, examples and resources for government representatives and decision-makers throughout the writing and development of their NDCs to enhance the child and youth sensitivity of the policies. By creating child- and youth-sensitive climate policies, countries are creating policies that enhance the quality of life for everyone, now and into the future.

 

Author(s)
2024 UNICEF Climate, Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction