UNICEF reports nearly half of world’s children face multiple climate risks

UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Report finds that about 1.1 billion children – nearly one‑half of the global child population – are exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards such as drought, extreme heat and heatwaves. The most common risk cluster affects roughly 296 million children, with the largest numbers in Nigeria (74 million), Pakistan (34 million) and India (32 million).

Overall, 2.3 billion children face at least one climate threat, 2 billion encounter two, and 364 million confront four or more hazards. Around 123 000 children live in areas where seven different climate dangers coincide. The report highlights sub‑Saharan Africa, parts of South Asia and small island states as the most vulnerable regions. In Chad, for example, more than 95 % of children are exposed to three or more risks amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

UNICEF Executive Director Kathrin Rassel warned that children are on the front line of climate change and called for governments to boost protection measures. The agency stresses that the unequal impact on health, nutrition, education and safety threatens children’s rights and long‑term prospects.