The Climate Crisis, Climate Justice and Child Protection'

Really happy to be part of this discussion. For us at Terre des Hommes Netherlands, we see strong links between the (in)direct effects of the climate crisis and child exploitation. We will be focusing on factors such as migration, family separation, conflict over resources and loss of livelihoods in our work to protect children at risk.

Truly the burden of climate induced crisis and conflict is become a major indices for child protection services, our little experience working in 6 climate constrained LGAs in Niger State, North West Nigeria show the application of differentiated model of services, such as contact tracing for migrated children and the households in search for better peaceful and economically sustainable locations, on how to ensure these children continued to receive needed protection. Hence, aligning with state laws we want to see these children not abandoning their education for street hocking in supporting their parents for those with parents while those who have lost their parents and have become household heads are equally not over burdened by the need to support their siblings and abound their education as well.

Climate change affects families sustainability and results in them leaving drought-stricken areas in search of a better life which often compromises children's safety and protection.

Great to see this thread and a new discussion on this topic!

It's a bit late notice, but just wanted to share this event taking online place tomorrow: The Global Heat Summit

Climate is a threat multiplier to risks and protection concerns children face. Here in Somalia, we have witnessed the effects of a rapidly changing climate resulting in shocks and loss of lives and properties to children and their families in Somalia. The negative coping mechanism of children and families increased the level of child labour, early and forced marriage, and increased number of children on the move. 

To minimize the risk and harm that climate change can pose the children and families, Save the Children, adapted to implement climate-informed and responsive child protection systems including incorporating climate tips into our Safe Families common approach, in case management we trained our caseworkers to conduct assessments and planning on climate responsive, and mental health and psychosocial support. Save the Children in collaboration with government relevant ministries and local actors are also working with other sectors to integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation into their interventions. Save the Children will also consultant boys and girls on climate campaigns to gain public attention and influence decision-makers to finance Early Warning and Early Actions and the development of preparedness plans for climate change shocks. 

Children are to be protected not only from human led atrocities but also from environmental and climate led threats which may hamper their family or school life. 

They should be made aware of disasters which may affect them in all forms .

Climate disaster is also a part of child protection .

Le changement climatique peut amener à des catastrophes ; des conflits et dont les enfants sont les plus exposés.  les catastrophes de type naturel et provoqué sont généralement fréquentes avec les érosions, inondations, vents violents qui détruisent les infrastructures scolaires ; administratifs ; familiales et amènent même à des déplacements des communautés et dont les enfants sont très exposés avec énormes problèmes de protection. La situation est encore compliquée dans les milieux ruraux que urbains. D’autres problèmes de protection de l’enfant sont identifiés dans les zones urbaines avec la présence des enfants dans les rues. la justice a un grand rôle à jouer dans tout le cas pour assurer un respect de droit des enfant. 

Le changement climatique entraîner des catastrophes naturelles ; les conflits et dont les enfants de la RD Congo sont les plus exposés. les catastrophes naturelles fait à ce que les érosions, inondations, vents violents qui détruisent les infrastructures scolaires les maisons  d'habitations; administratives ; familiales et entraînant même à des déplacements des populations (communautés) et dont les enfants sont très exposés avec d'énormes problèmes sur la protection.

Gulain.

Les éléments que j'ai notés il y a quelques jours concernent la RDC en général et particulièrement les parties Est  et centre du pays où les conctextes urbain et/rural presentent des specificités particulières. la crise climatique presente un important risque sur l'éducation, la santé et même la sécurité des enfants. En RDC, differents partenaires offrent des reponses qux problèmes de protection en général et de l'enfant en particulier. Il sont réunis aussein de la Coordination de Groupe de Travail Protection de l'Enfant, dont nous faisons partie entant que membre;  qui regroupe les organisations internationales ; nationales sous la coordination de l'agence de nations Unies UNICEF. 

Just posting here an interesting webinar on Extreme Heat & Early Childhood Development A Discussion on Rising Temperatures and Strategies for Supporting Development and Lifelong Health organized by the Center of the Developing Child from the Harvard University.

You can find more information at this link: https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2mL6HAdEKnxEZFk

Hi all, the Alliance's learning needs assessment survey on Climate Crisis and Child Protection is now live! The survey is available in English, French and Spanish (with Arabic coming soon). Please spare a few minutes to complete the survey and inform our work in this important area:  

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPYTZHucCmRXP9DLxf2EzgX1pvpUU…;

We are excited to share some preliminary results from the Learning Needs Assessment (LNA) on the intersectionality of Climate Crisis and Child Protection. 

• Respondents from 33 countries
• Key impacts of climate crisis on child protection:
  • Increate in negative coping mechanisms including child labour, child marriage, trafficking and child recruitment
  • Disruption to education
  • Family separation
• 51% of respondents have adapted CPHA programmes as a result of climate crisis
• Barriers to adapting programming include lack of funds, lack of knowledge on how to do so, lack of staff with the necessary skills
• 60% of respondents have supported child-led or child-focused advocacy on climate crisis
• Only 13% of respondents are aware of capacity strengthening on climate crisis and child protection intersectionality
• Key knowledge and skills required by CPHA practitioners are:
  • Understanding the impact of climate crises on children
  • Analysing risks and vulnerabilities associated with climate crisis
  • Identifying prevention and mitigation measures
  • Knowing how to adapt CP strategies

Are there key knowledge and skills missing in this list? Let us know!! 

And if you are interested in watching the live session we held with colleagues at the Alliance Annual Meeting you can check the first part of this recording: https://youtube.com/watch?v=J1q4Aju4ohc

That's Great ,I am really happy to be part of this discussion

I'm glad to be part of this discussion.

I'm open to learning as a new bee 

Glad to start 2025 by sharing that the Learning Needs Analysis on the Intersectionality of Child Protection in Humanitarian Action and the Climate Crisis report is finally available on our website. You can find it at this link. Let us know your thoughts and comments on it!

Indeed climate crisis adding another layer of violence and tearing rights and protection from children in an unimaginable way. The crisis induced trauma takes unusual time to heal. The resources on the ground here in Pakistan. While responding to the flood '22 IRC managed more than 100 child safe spaces and provided psychological support  to more than thousands of children. Majority  of them were in urgent need of protection from violence sexual abuse and separation from their family. Mayhem!!. 

The ground assistance exhausted in no time and quality was another challenge.  Getting emergency support was IRCs urgent priority and strengthening local capacity. 

IRC engaged more than 400 facilitators in less than one month placed them on ground to provide minimal psychological support and maintain safe spaces. Provided supplies and NFI. Engaged parents through  FAMILY  MALES DIFFERENCE to protect children from further abuse and violence  and parents learned positive coping mechanism to deal with low time , no money no food and no education for children. We aimed to reduce after effect of crisis in the form of child labor or child marriage.

There are still a lot to do and for children living in complex crisis of climate induce disaster and already displaced AFGHAN REFUGEE children living in KP  and Balochistan. 

Thank you for initiating the discourse. 

Le changement climatique a plusieur impacts negatif dont les enfants sont les plus exposés.

La version francaise serait important pour nous qui ont la difficulté de l'anglais.

Junior  Malheureusement, ce n'est qu'en anglais pour le moment mais nous espérons traduire dans d'autres langues si nous récupérons les fonds nécessaires.

Some more interesting resources released by the Harvard Centre on the Developing Child on the effects of heat and wildfire on children: 

https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/briefs/wildfire-smoke-early-childhood-development/

https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/working-paper/heat-paper/

https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/podcasts/the-brain-architects-podcast-extreme-heat/

Children with Disabilities including Deaf children face heightened risks during climate  related disasters and humanitarian crises .Many emergency response system fail to consider accessibility needs ,leaving these children  without life saving information, service or safe  evacuation options .For example deaf children often miss important warning due to the lack of sign language interpreter in the disaster communication. Children with physical Disability may struggle to reach shelters or receive medical care in crisis situation.

To ensure Climate justice truly protects All Children, Child protection efforts  must be inclusive .This means integrating Disability  inclusive disaster planning ,ensure accessibility communication and involving children with disabilities in shaping solution that affect their safety and future. How is the Alliance is working to ensure that child protection in humanitarian  action is full inclusive of children with Disabilities? I am writing this comment base on my real experience as a Deaf woman Leader who is supporting young girls and children with Disabilities in Tanzania

@Aneth Gerana, thank you very much for your testimony and for highlighting child protection concerns for children with disabilities. It is essential to ensure that practitioners have the knowledge and skills to integrate disability-inclusive approaches into any response. Strengthening capacities in this area would be highly beneficial for more inclusive and effective child protection efforts. An area where we need further investment. Looking at the moment at some capacity strenghtening resources on this. I will contact you privately if you are interested in being involved! 

Hi all,  in case you missed it here is the recording to the session we held at the Humanitarian Network and Partnership Week "Child Protection in the Context of Climate Crises: Addressing Intersectionality in Humanitarian Action": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tp8DQpOsVM 

Pour l’Association Tié, en tant que structure dédiée à la protection de l’enfant, cette thématique représente une opportunité précieuse.

Lors de nos interventions, nous constatons que les chocs climatiques ont des conséquences directes sur la santé des enfants, notamment en provoquant des problèmes de déshydratation qui entraînent des cas de malnutrition modérée à sévère, particulièrement chez les enfants de moins de 5 ans.

De plus, les impacts du changement climatique poussent de nombreux enfants, notamment ceux issus de foyers chroniquement vulnérables, à migrer vers des zones offrant plus d’opportunités, les exposant ainsi à des risques accrus.

Cette thématique est donc d’une grande importance pour notre association, car elle touche directement nos bénéficiaires et guide nos actions sur le terrain

Through this LINK you can access the recording of the session "Child Protection in the Context of Climate Crises: Addressing Intersectionality in Humanitarian Action" at the HNPW 2025. 

🌟 We Need Your Stories! Help Us Spotlight Innovation in CPHA & Climate Response 🌍

We’re also excited to share an important call to action!

As emphasized in the recent Learning Needs Analysis on the Intersectionality of Child Protection in Humanitarian Action and the Climate Crisis, one key recommendation is crystal clear: we need to showcase real-world examples of how CPHA programming is being adapted in the face of climate-related crises.

✨ Why? Because practitioners across the globe are looking for inspiration, guidance, and practical ideas—and your experience can help shape stronger, climate-responsive child protection strategies.

To make it easy, we’ve created a simple two-page case study template (attached).
Whether it’s a small adaptation or a full program redesign, your case matters.

📩 Submit your example by completing the template and sending it to:
👉 [email protected]

We’ll be collecting and curating these stories to amplify them across the CPHA Community of Practice, future webinars, and other key platforms. Let's make sure your voice is part of this vital conversation!

We can’t wait to hear from you!

Case study template_Final.docx562.65 KB

Adding a new resource from the Harvard Centre on the Developing Child on how Air Quality affects Early Childhood Development. Check it out at this link. 

An interesting even for colleagues in East Asia and the Pacific: 

Violence Against Children – The Forgotten Impact of Climate Change

Launch of UNICEF’s Climate Resilient Child Protection Systems Package for East Asia and the Pacific

Event Details:
 Date: Thursday 29 May
 Time: 9.00 to 10:30 AM BKK time
 Please register for webinar here

L’Association Tié, structure engagée depuis près de trente ans dans la protection de l’enfant au Burkina Faso, constate avec préoccupation que la crise climatique a un impact significatif sur les enfants. En quête de meilleures conditions de vie, nombreux sont ceux qui, souvent accompagnés de leurs parents, sont contraints de migrer vers les grands centres urbains.

Ce phénomène migratoire est aggravé par la crise sécuritaire que traverse le pays depuis une dizaine d’années, exposant ainsi les enfants à des risques accrus de vulnérabilité, d’exploitation et de violations de leurs droits fondamentaux.

Je suis particulièrement heureux de participer à cette rencontre, qui constitue une opportunité précieuse d’échanger sur ces enjeux cruciaux et de renforcer les actions concertées en faveur de la protection de l’enfance face aux effets conjugués des crises climatique et sécuritaire

ending child marriages intiatives are highly affected with the impact of climate change unfortunately the ending child marriages initiatives is not an agenda during the emergency 

🌍 A couple of updates to share:

📌 The 3rd International Conference on Child Protection (ICCP) – Africa, hosted by the Government of Kenya in collaboration with key child protection stakeholders, will take place from 5–7 November 2025 under the theme “Child Protection and Climate Change.” Abstract submissions are still open! More information is available here: https://icpconference.net/

📌 The Harvard Center on the Developing Child recently held a live event on the impact of extreme heat on early childhood development. You can watch the presentation here: YouTube link

In addition, the Center has published a report on “Connecting Early Childhood Development to Climate Change: Insights for Communicators,” available here: Harvard Center resource

The Vulnerable Child and the Climate Crisis - Virtual Launch

The Aangan’s Trust latest report “The Vulnerable Child and the Climate Crisis” surfaces how climate harm is disrupting the building blocks of childhood - safety, care, schooling, belonging. The launch of this report seeks to reframe the climate conversation and call for an urgent agenda where child protection is treated as an integral part of climate adaptation.

Join the virtual launch of the report on: 

Date: 29 October 2025

Time: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (IST)

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ry7g4DVPTMuUl4TAy2RymQ

Another interesting event Connecting Early Childhood Development to Climate Change:

 In the upcoming webinar from the Centre on the Developing Child from Harvard University, hosted in partnership with the FrameWorks Institute,  panelists will discuss findings from research on evidence-based strategies for building understanding and driving action to support children and their caregivers in a warming world: 

Thursday, October 30, 2 PM ET

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_V5m69WALRGid_dAOjrG6Zw#/reg…

And an interesting resource on child rights and climate justice has just been released by Proteknon and Kindernothilfe available at this link: https://lnkd.in/gw--EBMt

From the Aangan Trust a super interesting report rich of data "The Vulnerable child and the Climate Crisis" : https://www.aanganindia.org/_files/ugd/2bef6c_4cebeff1fdf94640805dd30a8…

Thanks Janani  for sharing!

Also something to listen to from the Harvard Centre on the Developing Child "Connecting Early Childhood Development to Climate Change" : https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/articles/connecting-early-childhood…