World · Africa · 16 hrs ago
UNICEF urges COP31 to put children at the centre of climate policy
The COP31 climate talks opened in Antalya, Turkey, and UNICEF is asking governments and negotiators to put children at the centre of climate policy.
UNICEF says nearly every child faces at least one serious climate risk, while more than 1.1 billion children face three or more, including floods, droughts, heatwaves and storms.
The organisation says climate change threatens children’s rights and that its effects on them are disproportionate.
It wants climate adaptation plans to address children’s specific needs and calls for greater attention to education and young people’s participation.
UNICEF also wants children recognised as a distinct group with specific rights and needs in a new climate empowerment action plan.
Seventy countries have signed a declaration on children, young people and climate action, and UNICEF is urging all governments to join.
On 14 November, UNICEF Italy will take part in a COP31 event on youth involvement, while its photo contest for ages 14 to 19 is open until 28 March 2027.
UNICEF urged governments and negotiators at COP31 to make children’s rights and needs a systematic part of climate policy.
The conference opened in Antalya, Turkey, on November 9, 2026.
UNICEF said nearly every child worldwide faces at least one serious climate risk, while more than 1.1 billion children face three or more.
Its proposals include stronger child-focused adaptation policies and explicit recognition of children in a climate action plan.
UNICEF Italy also launched a photography contest for people aged 14 to 19 to share how climate change affects their lives.
- Who
- UNICEF called on governments and climate negotiators to put children at the centre of climate policy.
- What
- It urged them to recognise climate impacts on children and include children’s rights in climate decisions.
- When
- COP31 opened on November 9, 2026; UNICEF Italy will join an event on November 14.
- Where
- COP31 is in Antalya, Turkey.
- Why
- UNICEF said climate change threatens children’s rights and exposes them to serious risks.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
COP31 opened in Antalya, Turkey, and UNICEF called for children’s rights to be integrated into climate decisions.
UNICEF Italy is due to join an event on youth participation in climate action.
The deadline for entries to UNICEF Italy’s photography contest.
- Children facing multiple risks
- More than 1.1 billion
- Countries signed
- 70 have signed the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action
- Photography contest age range
- 14 to 19
- Photography contest deadline
- March 28, 2027
- COP31 location
- Antalya, Turkey
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What people are saying
The climate crisis today represents one of the main threats to children’s rights.
Almost every child in the world is exposed to at least one serious climate risk, while more than 1.1 billion children face three or more threats linked to extreme events such as floods, droughts, heatwaves and storms.