Child-sensitive climate policies needed across critical sectors

Skopje, 6 June 2025: “Today, on World Environment Day, we celebrate not only our planet—but the power of partnership to shape a more sustainable future.

“Climate change and environmental degradation are disproportionately affecting children across almost every aspect of their health and well-being and at every stage of their development, from their mother’s pregnancy to the first weeks of life, early childhood, and from their school years to their young adulthood.

“In North Macedonia, the risks from air pollution and intense heatwaves are especially high and likely to severely undermine child rights for years to come.

“These environmental threats deepen existing inequalities and undermine children’s rights to health, education, and a safe environment. While children are vulnerable, they are also powerful agents of change and really take climate action seriously. The key to unlocking that potential lies in advancing climate and environmental education. We are going to see here today some of the results of that energy, creativity and enthusiasm for all things environmental. 

“This is why UNICEF is proud to support to the Government of North Macedonia in advancing climate and environmental education and skills.

“Through our partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning and the Ministry of Education and Science we have achieved remarkable results.  Our holistic and multisectoral approach is being recognized as a model among UNICEF offices in the Europe and Central Asia Region.

“Together, we have developed new curricula and textbooks for primary and secondary education, and embedded climate and environmental learning across disciplines. We’ve started important work on introducing Air Quality recommendations for schools and last year a protocol for schools during heatwaves was adopted by the Government. We are also creating new opportunities for students to develop “green” skills through practical experiences and internships for VET students.

“Today, we’ll also see some of our joint work in action. We will be exploring how the GLOBE programme – a programme equipping hundreds of teachers with skills and equipment gather surface-based environmental data on the air, water, soil and biosphere quality and how the Experiential Learning Network – a network of seven scientific institutions (e.g. the botanical gardens, national parks, the ecological society) offering teachers and students extra curricula activities - can be brought together to create more sustainable results. It’s the coming together of a two very strong programmes to accentuate and exponentially create opportunities for children. These two programmes are not only complementary, they are also transformative. And we are committed to expanding them further to reach even more teachers and students.

“Lastly, as the country prepares its National Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement, we have a unique opportunity to build on this great partnership and the successes in environmental and climate change education. I want to highlight the important opportunity that brings to put children in the center of climate policy. “Education is just the beginning. We must expand our efforts to integrate child-sensitive climate policies across other critical sectors - especially health, social protection - to ensure a holistic response to the climate crisis.

“We must also ensure children’s participation in climate decision-making, so their voices shape the future they will inherit. The NDCs 3.0 are not just technical documents - they are blueprints for the world our children will grow up in. Let us continue working together to ensure that North Macedonia’s NDC reflects the needs, rights, and potential of every child.

“Because as the title of this conference reminds us, only together can we create a sustainable future.”