Climate change mitigation

While air pollution affects everyone, children are among the most vulnerable because their bodies, organs and immune systems are still not fully developed.

Two thirds of children across Western Europe were exposed to extreme heatwaves between 1 January and 14 July this year, according to new data from Save the Children as temperatures soar and record wildfires ravage parts of Europe

Climate-related disasters are increasingly impacting children across Latin America and the Caribbean, the world’s second most disaster-prone region. Floods, droughts, storms, and wildfires disrupt homes, education, healthcare, and access to clean water. In 2026, about 4 million children will need humanitarian assistance, with effects extending beyond emergencies to long-term health, education, and well-being. Save the Children focuses on acting early to protect children before disasters occur.

The LINK Project, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), is rehabilitating 192 water boreholes and empowering Water and Sanitation Committees in Manica, Gaza and Tete. The objective is to improve access to drinking water, strengthen community management of water resources, and increase community resilience to climate change. The LINK Project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented in partnership with the Government of Mozambique

Despite three decades of pledges and some progress, the 30th UN climate summit takes place against a backdrop of catastrophic climate disasters that are forcing millions of children from their homes, disrupting their education, and causing hunger and threats to their health and safety.

Over 60 children from 16 African countries are urging their heads of state at the Africa Climate Summit this week to consider their views and experiences in shaping climate policies, with children in most of the continent found to be at high or extremely high risk of the impacts of climate change.

Across the region countries including China, Pakistan, Thailand, Laos and the Philippines are experiencing storms and earlier-than-usual monsoon seasons partly brought about by climate change.

Save the Children has handed over its coastal resilience project to 12 communities in Pujehun and Bonthe. The project improved livelihoods, protected mangroves, and empowered locals through VSLAs, eco-friendly ovens, and training. Communities now lead the way forward.

Almost a third of today’s five-year-olds – about 38 million children – will be spared a lifetime’s “unprecedented” exposure to extreme heat if the world meets the 1.5°C warming target by 2100, Save the Children said.

As COP29 is coming to an end, Save the Children and child campaigners in Baku remind world leaders that children’s rights must be at the centre of negotiations over the climate finance goal.