UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell's remarks at the second annual session of the UNICEF Executive Board
UNICEF
Special focus session on climate change: "Putting children at the heart of climate action and galvanizing global solutions"
05 September 2024
As prepared for delivery
NEW YORK, 5 September 2024 - "Excellencies, colleagues, it is good to be with you for this special focus session on climate change. I am honored to be joined by the esteemed representatives of the Dominican Republic and Madagascar, and of course our child advocates, Ms. Daniel and Mr. Vera Manzanares.
"At UNICEF, we firmly believe that the global climate crisis is, at its heart, a child rights crisis. Across the globe, climate change is impacting children's health and development, their safety, and their access to essential services.
"According to UNICEF's landmark Children's Climate Risk Index, more than 1 billion children - nearly half the world's children - live in countries that are at 'extremely high-risk' from the impacts of climate change.
"And while children are the least responsible for the climate crisis, they bear the greatest burden of its consequences. From the moment of conception until they grow into adulthood, the health and development of children's brains, lungs, immune systems and other critical functions are affected by the environment they grow up in.
"UNICEF estimates that 559 million children are currently exposed to frequent heatwaves. And by 2050, all of the world's children are expected to be regularly exposed to heatwaves.
"Heatwaves are especially damaging to children because they are less able to regulate their body temperature than adults. Their bodies heat up faster, they sweat less efficiently, and they cool down more slowly, making them more likely to suffer from heatstroke or die. Children exposed to heatwaves are at greater risk of developing chronic respiratory conditions and cardiovascular diseases.
"Extreme heat is also associated with complications for unborn children and pregnant mothers, and is linked to stillbirth, low birth weight, and preterm birth. A recent report from UNICEF found that the odds of stillbirth and pre-term birth rise by 5 per cent per 1°Celsius increase in temperature.
"Each year, disasters linked to climate change disrupt learning for 40 million children, with girls less likely to return to school than boys. We expect that without action, climate change will contribute to at least 12.5 million girls failing to complete their education annually by 2025.
"Here, it is critical to note that the climate crisis disproportionately impacts children from vulnerable groups, children with disabilities, those living in poverty or in humanitarian crises, and of course, girls.
"The climate crisis is exacerbating existing gender inequalities - including through increased rates of gender-based and sexual violence, unequal access to nutritious food, and underinvestment in essential services tailored to the specific needs of girls and women.
"Across the board, climate change has stark, immediate and long-term implications across the full range of children's rights. But children are more than victims,they are agents of change with the capacity to play a transformative role in advancing real climate action.
"In July, I visited the Pacific region where I met with children and young people living on the front lines of the climate crisis. In Vanuatu, I spoke with UNICEF-supported youth climate advocates. They were instrumental in getting the UN General Assembly to request a judgement from the International Court of Justice on the obligations of richer countries to address climate change.
"Their efforts are but one example of the positive impact children and young people can make when they have a seat at the table.
"So, it is deeply troubling that in the more than 30 years since the UNFCCC was signed, world leaders and policy makers have paid scant attention to prioritizing children's rights, needs and voices in climate action. Parties to the Paris Agreement agreed that States should - when taking climate action - respect, promote, and consider the rights of children. But this commitment has yet to translate into significant climate policy initiatives or investments.
"Less than half of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) globally are child-sensitive, while just 30 per cent involved young people in their development.
"Nevertheless, there have been some positive developments.
"At COP28, the decision by Parties to mandate an 'expert dialogue' on the disproportionate impacts of climate change on children and relevant policy solutions was a significant step.
"UNICEF co-moderated the dialogue, held in June, which featured key data and evidence showing children as a distinct group - a first in the UNFCCC's 30-year history.
"COP29 and the upcoming NDCs 3.0 provide important opportunities for governments to be bold and ambitious, protect children, and commit to the actions needed to secure their futures. This includes working to make the systems children rely on - like health care, education, water and sanitation - more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
"UNICEF is working on all fronts - from influencing policies, plans and funding, to implementing programming at scale in the sectors where we work. Our Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan sets targets focused on children's needs, aiming to drive a global movement for children with public and private sector partners.
"And UNICEF continues to serve as a key convener between children, young people and governments to drive climate action at country, regional and global levels.
"UNICEF is inviting partners to join us in accelerating climate action in four key areas, first, is climate-informed disaster risk reduction, humanitarian action and resilient recovery from disasters, second, is ensuring sustainable energy for health-care facilities, schools and WASH systems, third, is providing sustainable WASH services in the areas most vulnerable to climate change, and fourth, is to provide pathways for young people to be more effective champions for sustainability.
"We also urge Member States to continue their advocacy with IFIs to ensure that children are prioritized in global climate funding.
"The Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action remains a valuable framework to support this agenda, and it seems that Minister Fontaine and Vice-Minister Batista have good news to share with us on this today.
"Excellencies, the actions we take now are shaping the world our children will inherit. About 4.2 billion children are expected to be born over the next 30 years and climate change will be their reality. It is our collective responsibility to make sure they are prepared.
"Thank you once again for joining us today, and I look forward to the discussion."
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