Children contribute the least to climate change, yet are the ones most affected by its impacts

The triple planetary crisis of climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss has put around 1 billion children – nearly half of the world’s 2.2 billion children – at extreme risks to survive and grow.

In January 2023, the town of Skenderaj in Kosovo has been afflicted by floods, forcing schools to close and families to abandon their homes. Imeri family was one of the affected ones. Their home collapsed within minutes and all 13 members were displaced into their relatives’ home, losing all what they had. Their house was one of the 300 residential houses that were damaged and Imeri family was one of the over 10,000 people that are affected every year by floodings in Kosovo.

UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) conducted the Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) in Kosovo revealing an alarming truth:  for Kosovo’s youngest citizens, the accelerating pace of environmental degradation, air pollution, exacerbated by climate change, is threatening their basic rights to health, education, and safety.

Kosovo’s children are growing up in one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in Europe. Average annual temperatures in Kosovo have risen by 2–3°C since the 1950s, with projections indicating increases of 4–8°C by the end of the century, bringing more frequent heatwaves, unpredictable rainfall, and severe water shortages. Children, particularly in regions like Ferizaj and Prizren, face heightened exposure to these climate extremes, worsened by air and water pollution.

2023 was Europe’s second warmest year in recorded history. Around 1 in 2 children in Europe and Central Asia face frequent heatwaves – double the global average of 1 in 4. Kosovo’s children face a daily struggle against poor air quality, water scarcity, and increasing temperatures, all of which undermine their right to a healthy and safe environment. Approximately 23%[1] of children in Kosovo live below the national poverty line, which means they are more exposed to the impacts of extreme weather, from scorching heatwaves to flooding. Poorer communities have less access to clean energy and their children are more exposed to air pollution.

Kosovo's air quality is among the worst in Europe, with daily PM2.5 levels, the most dangerous air pollutant, reaching up to 367 μg/m³—more than 25 times the WHO's safe daily limit for children.[2] Approximately 17% of total infant deaths in five Western Balkan countries in 2021 were linked to air pollution, a rate more than double the European Union average.[3]

Children’s growing bodies and developing minds are especially vulnerable to extreme heat, pollution, and food insecurity. In Kosovo, the most vulnerable—children from marginalized communities, those with disabilities, and those living in informal settlements—are already facing these harsh effects of climate change. Hospitals report rising admissions for heat-related illnesses, and communities are struggling with water shortages that disrupt agricultural production, a key livelihood for many families.

A call for urgent action

The CLAC report outlines concrete steps for protecting Kosovo’s children from climate and environmental risks. This report, developed in close consultation with the Institutions of Kosovo, local partners, and, most importantly, the children themselves, is clear in its findings: children are demanding urgent and decisive action to secure their future.Some of the recommendations of the CLAC report are:

• Prioritize child-focused climate policies: municipal air quality and climate plans should address the unique vulnerabilities and rights of children, ensuring their inclusion in decision-making processes;
• Promote climate education and sustainable schools: Support Ministry of Education to integrate climate change and environmental education into the curriculum, emphasizing practical hands-on eco-projects that foster environmental awareness, equipes children and young people with the knowledge and green skills  and empowers youth to take action for a safe and sustainable future; support for infrastructure improvements that enhance school resilience to climate- induced hazards  provide guidance  on energy-efficient designs and green certifications, making schools models of sustainability and resilience for local communities;
• Invest in clean energy for vulnerable communities: access to sustainable energy sources is essential for reducing reliance on polluting fuels, improving air quality, and safeguarding children’s health; enhance subsidies or incentives for renewable energy installations in schools, health clinics, and homes, and fostering partnerships with local governments and clean energy providers;
• Support the establishment of robust data systems to track the disproportionate impact of climate change on children including health outcomes and exposure levels. and on the best solutions for their protection as well as enhancing child and community resilience by supporting early warning systems, and capacity building initiatives.
• Invest in environmental health prioritising solutions to reduce and prevent exposure of pollutants on children including air quality regulation plans, lead reduction initiatives, public health campaigns. Support capacities  of pediatricians and health care professionals; pollutants & air quality monitoring in schools and kindergartens, and best practices for improving indoor air quality, ensuring children have safer environments to grow and learn.

One promising step forward is the UNICEF-Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SwEPA) partnership supported by Sweden, which aims to build government capacities in air quality governance and data across the Western Balkans, including Kosovo. This partnership also emphasizes embedding green skills into education, ensuring that youth are not only informed but empowered with the practical knowledge and skills needed to address climate challenges. By enhancing education on climate change, air quality, and sustainable practices, this initiative strengthens youth engagement, preparing the next generation to drive green transformation in their communities.

One of the key findings from the programme is that municipal Air Quality Plans in the Western Balkans lack consideration of children and youth. As a direct result of this partnership, the first young environmentalists’ network is established, and now serves as a representative group of young people who take action and advocate for child-sensitive air quality and climate policies while expanding partnerships with key stakeholders in advancing youth involvement in Kosovo’s green agenda.

The time to act is now

The time for action is now. The institutions, civil society, and international partners must work together to ensure sustainable future for children in Kosovo. Protecting children from the climate crisis is not just an environmental issue—it is a matter of upholding their fundamental rights.

Children and young people are not only victims of climate change, but if empowered and educated they can play an active role in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Kosovo has made strides in recognizing these challenges, but much more needs to be done.

At this critical juncture, it is our collective responsibility to safeguard the rights of Kosovo’s children. The climate crisis is an unprecedented challenge, but with coordinated efforts, we can turn the tide. The future of Kosovo’s, including Imeri family depends on it.

[1] Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 2020 data)

[3] Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). (2021). Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) Air Pollution Exposure Estimates 1990-2021. University of Washington.