Tackling Climate Change
A liveable planet for every child
The challenge
As Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the 12 countries and territories covered by the UNICEF Office for the Eastern Caribbean Area are some of the most vulnerable on the planet and are highly exposed to natural hazards, disasters and extreme weather events such as Hurricane Beryl which struck with devastating effect in July 2024. Flooding, drought, food insecurity, rising sea levels and temperatures, coastal erosion and biodiversity loss have also become an ever-present reality.
Children are most affected by the climate crisis, which has become a child rights crisis. A degraded environment is affecting them both physically and psychologically. Yet young people themselves are not sufficiently involved in developing and implementing climate-related resilience strategies and programmes.
Climate resilience must be strengthened, and we need more and better data on children’s risks and vulnerabilities.
The solution
UNICEF has been assisting in the design of national disaster management strategies, child-sensitive Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) - a country’s main climate change commitment document and the basis for policies - and National Adaptation Plans. We have broadened and deepened partnerships with regional entities such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). UNICEF has collaborated on the establishment of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) training, as well as emergency WASH coordination mechanisms in several countries.
Gathering and disseminating high-quality data is critical and, in several countries, we have piloted the Children’s Climate Risk Index-Disaster Risk Model (CCRI-DRM) which collects evidence on factors that make children more vulnerable to climate change. In addition, the mapping of private sector resources available in emergencies has been piloted in one country.
We are also working to develop, mainstream and implement climate-sensitive school curricula.
Youth participation in the climate change response is vital and UNICEF is collaborating with partners to create pioneering youth-engagement strategies and action plans on climate change (Yes-CA), as well as formulating child-friendly versions for schools. We are also partnering with youth NGOs on regional climate change training, advocacy and research.
A major achievement was the SIDS Children and Youth Action Summit in May 2024. This landmark gathering allowed young people from the three SIDS regions to engage in global dialogue, with several delegates sharing a landmark Commitment to Action with the wider SIDS4 international conference.
Children are most affected by the climate crisis, which has become a child rights crisis.