Approximately 1.1 billion children worldwide are facing at least three overlapping climate-related dangers that threaten their health, education, and chances of survival, according to UNICEF’s ‘The Children’s Climate Risk Index 2026’ report.
“Children’s lives are being turned upside down by the impacts of heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and floods,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Half of the world’s children are now living with at least three overlapping climate threats shaping their daily lives.” The report, for the first time, maps where and how climate threats intensely, multiply, and overlap to affect children and the essential social services they rely on, and outlines concrete steps governments can take.
Overlapping Threats
While nearly every child on Earth faces at least one climate hazard, the report indicates that over four million children could face up to six overlapping threats. This analysis mapped children exposed to the eight most frequent climate threats, including coastal flooding, droughts, extreme heat, fires, heatwaves, river flooding, and sand and dust storms, alongside tropical storms.
Findings reveal that over 296 million children live in areas exposed to all three of these conditions. The second most common combination, drought, extreme heat, and tropical storms, exposes over 115 million children globally to these overlapping threats.
Air Pollution Affects Nearly All Children Globally
In addition to the eight most frequent climate hazards, the report examined children exposed to air pollution and malaria risks, which are sensitive to the impacts of climate change. Data shows that air pollution affects nearly every child globally, while one billion children face malaria, adding another layer of danger for children already confronting multiple climate threats.
The report emphasizes that if urgent efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are not made, climate hazards will become more frequent and severe, placing greater pressure on government budgets and systems, and threatening children’s well-being.
Challenges and Solutions
One of the most affected regions is the Sahel in Africa, where over four million children face the triple threat of heatwaves, extreme heat, and sand and dust storms. Children in countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan in Asia are exposed to more climate hazards in greater numbers and higher intensity than children anywhere else in the world. High-income countries are not exempt; in Italy, over six million children are exposed to prolonged heatwaves and drought. Nevertheless, the country demonstrates how investment in climate change adaptation can reduce some of the risks children face, while also highlighting the need for more action as the climate crisis intensifies.
Triple Threats Require Triple Action
To protect children’s rights from climate threats and adapt to increasing environmental changes, UNICEF calls on governments, businesses, and relevant actors to take the following steps:
- Reduce emissions and undertake ambitious action to meet existing international commitments based on the best available science.
- Protect children through inclusive climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and response to loss and damage; prioritize the resilience of social services and ensure children’s inclusion in national adaptation plans, sectoral strategies, disaster risk governance, preparedness, and response plans.
- Empower children and young people to participate meaningfully in climate action by investing in climate education, knowledge, and skills, and strengthening the capacity of decision-makers and experts to respect children’s rights to be heard, freedom of expression, and participation in decisions affecting their lives.
UNICEF’s president stated, “This analysis can help governments and decision-makers plan better and invest more effectively in resilient services. When we strengthen health and education systems and improve infrastructure with children in mind, we protect them from today’s climate threats and secure their future.”
