1.1 Billion Children Face Multiple Climate Risks
New UNICEF report finds nearly half of the world's children are exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, threatening their health, education and wellbeing.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, 18 June 2026 – Nearly half of the world's children – or 1.1 billion children – are exposed to at least three overlapping climate and environmental hazards, according to UNICEF's new Children's Climate Risk Report 2026, released today.
Using the latest available data, the report maps children's exposure to eight major climate hazards, including coastal floods, riverine floods, tropical storms, droughts, extreme heat, heatwaves, wildfires, and sand and dust storms. For the first time, the report shows where multiple and overlapping climate threats are putting children and the essential services they rely on at greatest risk.
The report warns that while almost every child in the world is exposed to at least one climate hazard, many are facing several threats simultaneously, compounding risks to their health, education, protection and wellbeing.
"Children have done the least to cause the climate crisis, yet they are paying the highest price," said Tom Slaymaker, UNICEF Chief of the WASH, Climate and Environment Data Unit.
"When climate hazards overlap, the impacts compound. A drought can leave children hungry and malnourished. A flood that follows can contaminate water supplies and spread diseases like cholera. Each shock makes the next one more dangerous."
The findings are particularly relevant for the Caribbean, where children are increasingly exposed to more intense hurricanes, flooding, extreme heat and other climate-related shocks.
In 2024, Hurricane Beryl caused widespread destruction across Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, damaging homes, schools, health facilities and critical infrastructure. More recently, Hurricane Melissa impacted Jamaica, highlighting the continued vulnerability of Caribbean communities to severe weather events and the disruption they can cause to children's lives.
The report notes that climate hazards can disrupt access to education, healthcare, safe water and sanitation, while increasing risks to children's safety and wellbeing. Globally, at least 242 million children experienced disruptions to their schooling due to climate hazards in 2024, while many others were displaced from their homes.
Today, an estimated 634 million children worldwide still lack access to safe drinking water and 1 billion lack access to safe sanitation services. Climate-related shocks are further straining these essential services, increasing children's exposure to disease and other risks.
For children living in small island developing states, a single storm can overwhelm critical systems overnight, affecting entire communities and delaying recovery efforts.
The report calls for greater investment in climate-resilient services and infrastructure that protect children before disasters strike. These include strengthening water and sanitation systems, ensuring schools and health facilities can continue operating during emergencies, and expanding social protection and disaster preparedness measures.
"Our goal at UNICEF is to make children more visible and show where action is most urgent," Slaymaker said.
"Without urgent, child-focused climate action, the shocks they face today will only intensify. But with the right investment and political will, we can reduce risks, strengthen systems, and give children the chance to survive and thrive."
The report provides governments and partners with new evidence to identify where children face the greatest climate risks and to prioritise investments that strengthen resilience and protect their rights in an increasingly uncertain climate future.
The Children's Climate Risk Report 2026 is available for download on UNICEF's website.
