Children Bear Brunt of Climate Change, Urgent Action Required
Climate change, a global phenomenon characterized by significant variations in weather conditions over several decades or longer, is impacting children the most, according to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Children (UNCRC). Despite their minimal contribution to climate change, children face the greatest risks from disasters like floods, droughts, storms, and heatwaves. Recognizing this, the UNCRC has issued a comprehensive interpretation of Member States’ obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), emphasizing the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment for children.
In a joint statement by the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare, and the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, it was declared that the climate crisis is indeed a child rights crisis. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child General Comment No.26 calls on Member States, including Zimbabwe, to take immediate action to mitigate climate change’s impact on children’s lives.
The newly issued General Comment No.26 on children’s rights and the environment specifically focuses on the urgent need to address climate change, the collapse of biodiversity, and pervasive pollution. It outlines measures to protect children, urging countries to prioritize action across all aspects of childhood affected by climate change. The responsibilities of States extend beyond immediate harm to include future violations of children’s rights resulting from actions or inaction today.
The General Comment emphasizes the disproportionate harm faced by children in disadvantaged situations, aiming to ensure that no child and no place is left behind. It calls on the 196 states that have ratified the Convention to implement immediate measures, such as shifting to renewable energy sources, improving air quality, ensuring access to clean water, transforming industrial agriculture and fisheries, and protecting biodiversity.
Children’s views must be considered in environmental decision-making, and climate and environmental education play a critical role in preparing children to advocate for themselves and take action against environmental harm. Child rights impact assessments must be conducted for all environment-related legislation, policies, projects, regulations, budgets, and decisions. States will be required to periodically report to the UN Committee on their progress in safeguarding children’s environmental rights.
In Zimbabwe, the government and its partners are actively involving children and young people in the climate change debate and formulating the country’s position on climate change conferences. Schools are being supported in developing disaster risk management plans, and efforts are being made to enhance climate change learning and resilient infrastructure. The Clean Green Initiative aims to foster environmental stewardship among Zimbabwe’s children.
Zimbabwe has reaffirmed its commitment to intensify adaptation efforts, including early warnings, disaster risk reduction, climate-proofing infrastructure, sustainable water management, and climate-smart agriculture for food security at the Africa Climate Summit. These actions directly mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on children.
With the UNCRC’s General Comment No.26 providing a framework for action, countries must prioritize the protection of children’s rights in the face of climate change. It is essential to work together to create a sustainable future that safeguards the well-being and rights of children, ensuring they can thrive in a clean and healthy environment. Immediate action is required on a global scale to mitigate the effects of climate change and secure a brighter future for our children.
