Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
Protecting child rights in changing climate and emerging environmental hazards
A clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a fundamental human right. Across India, children are increasingly and disproportionately exposed to the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation through extreme heat, floods, droughts, cyclones, air pollution, geogenic water contamination and water scarcity. These challenges affect their health, nutrition, development, education, protection and overall well-being, while disrupting access to the essential social services they depend on.
India is home to nearly 472 million children, with an estimated 55 per cent exposed to multiple and overlapping climate crisis risks, such as drought, heatwaves, and air pollution. Protecting children from the impacts of climate change is therefore critical to safeguard their rights and achieve sustainable and inclusive development.
At UNICEF India, climate action is child rights action. Guided by UNICEF's Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP), we work with governments, communities, development partners, academia, and young people to strengthen climate-resilient systems, promote environmental sustainability, and create a healthier, safer, and cleaner future for every child.
Our Vision
UNICEF India's Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability program places children at the centre of climate action through three interconnected objectives.
Protect Children
Children are among the most vulnerable to climate and environmental risks. UNICEF supports the strengthening of essential services—including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health, nutrition, education, and child and social protection—to protect the life, health, and well-being of children and to support the resilience of their communities to withstand climate-related shocks and stresses.
Empower Children and Young People
Children and young people are powerful agents of change. UNICEF works to empower every child with development opportunities, education, and skills, creating opportunities for meaningful engagement, participation, leadership, and innovation, ensuring that children and youth can contribute to climate action and environmental decision-making at the community, institutional, district, state, and national levels.
Reduce Environmental Impact
UNICEF promotes environmentally sustainable and low-carbon approaches across programs and operations. By supporting greener infrastructure, renewable, clean energy, sustainable resource management, and accelerating the mandates of circularity and climate-smart solutions, we not only help build resilient communities while reducing environmental impacts but also advocate for the fulfilment of ambitious international sustainability and climate change agreements.
How are we making a difference
UNICEF India is helping protect children from climate change by strengthening climate-resilient water, sanitation and health infrastructure and services. It promotes clean and green schools and communities that improve environmental sustainability and resilience.
UNICEF supports sustainable food systems while strengthening nutrition preparedness and emergency response. Through research and evidence generation, it advances child-centred climate policies and action.
UNICEF equips children and young people with climate knowledge, skills and leadership opportunities. By amplifying youth voices in climate decision-making, UNICEF empowers young people as agents of change for a more sustainable future