Children speak truth to power: As climate change is a child rights crisis, children are the best allies in fighting climate change

Bucharest. 4 December 2023. Children are the most affected by the climate change and their rights must be prioritized by the world leaders and international community at COP28 – this is the message that adolescents and young people are bringing to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference that is taking place at United Arab Emirates. Eva, 16 years old, member of the UNICEF-supported Children’s Board in Romania, is the only Romanian child delegate attending COP28.

The climate crisis is a child rights crisis. One billion children, half of the world children’s population, are at extremely high risk of the impacts of the climate crisis, as floods, rising temperatures, and failed crops are only few of the challenges restricting children’s access to the fulfillment of a normal life, pointed out Eva, Emmanuel and Ghaya, three of the children delegates that have met on Sunday with UN Secretary General, Antonio Gutteres, and the Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs.

“I share your frustration and anger: Despite years of promises, greenhouse gas emissions are at an all-time high — and rising. This is the hottest year on record, but the fight for keeping temperature rise to 1.5°C is not over. By standing together as one, I know we can win. It is vital that you keep up the pressure. Keep pushing. Keep holding leaders to account — don’t let them off the hook”, said Antonio Gutteres.

COP28 is the first Conference of the Parties putting on world leaders agenda climate education as a way to fight against climate change, but still children are rarely mentioned.

The children delegates have also underlined that action to fight climate change should be taken through meaningful child participation, by informing and empowering children to take action in climate change policies and action. Also, all children around the world should have access to quality climate education, therefore the investments should increase significantly as the funds allocated to the climate education are at less then 1 percent of the climate funds. The majority of children have not learned about climate change at school, according to a global UNICEF U-Report, but children believe they can contribute to a greener world.

“Children are the best allies in the fight against climate change and as a result of this COP, the needs, rights and perspectives of children should be prioritized in public policies, actions and investments for climate change and the environment”, said Eva.

Together with fellow representatives from the European Youth Forum, Eva also met with the Romanian President Klaus Iohannis. The participants to the meeting discussed about the importance of the climate education and the role children and youth can play in addressing the climate crisis.