Nearly half of the world’s children, approximately 1.1 billion, are now exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, putting their health, education, safety, and future at serious risk, according to the latest UNICEF Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026.
The report paints a troubling picture of the growing impact of climate change on children, revealing that almost every child globally is exposed to at least one climate-related threat. More alarmingly, over 4 million children face as many as six overlapping climate hazards, creating unprecedented challenges for communities, governments, and humanitarian organizations.
Climate Change Increasingly Threatens Children’s Lives
The UNICEF report analyzes children’s exposure to eight of the most common climate hazards worldwide, including:
- Coastal flooding
- River flooding
- Droughts
- Extreme heat
- Heatwaves
- Wildfires
- Sand and dust storms
- Tropical storms
For the first time, the report maps where multiple climate risks overlap and examines how these threats affect essential services that children depend on, including healthcare, education, water, sanitation, and social protection systems.
According to UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, climate-related disasters continue to disrupt children’s daily lives across every region of the world.
“The lives of children continue to be upended by the impact of heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and floods,” Russell said. “Half of the world’s children are now living with at least three overlapping climate threats shaping their daily lives.”
Drought, Heat, and Heatwaves Impact Hundreds of Millions of Children
The report identifies drought, extreme heat, and heatwaves as the most widespread combination of climate hazards affecting children today.
More than 296 million children currently live in regions exposed to all three climate threats simultaneously.
The second most common climate-risk combination—drought, extreme heat, and tropical storms—affects more than 115 million children worldwide, highlighting the increasing complexity of climate-related emergencies.
These overlapping hazards can damage crops, reduce water availability, disrupt education, worsen malnutrition, and increase health risks for vulnerable populations.
Africa’s Sahel and South Asia Among the Most Vulnerable Regions
Some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable children live in the Sahel region of Africa, where over 4 million children face a dangerous combination of heatwaves, extreme heat, and sand and dust storms.
Meanwhile, countries across South Asia, including Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan, experience some of the highest concentrations and intensities of overlapping climate hazards globally.
Children living in these regions often face repeated climate shocks that strain already fragile infrastructure and public services, making recovery increasingly difficult.
High-Income Countries Also Facing Climate Risks
The UNICEF report emphasizes that climate change is not only affecting low-income nations.
In Italy, for example, more than 6 million children are regularly exposed to prolonged heatwaves and drought conditions.
However, the report notes that investments in climate adaptation and resilient infrastructure have helped reduce some of the risks faced by children in high-income countries, demonstrating the value of proactive climate action.
Air Pollution and Malaria Add to Climate-Related Risks
Beyond the eight primary climate hazards, UNICEF examined children’s exposure to environmental and health risks linked to climate change.
The findings reveal that:
- Nearly every child worldwide is affected by air pollution.
- Approximately 1 billion children are exposed to malaria-related risks.
These threats often compound existing climate challenges, creating additional burdens for children already living in vulnerable conditions.
As temperatures rise and weather patterns shift, the geographic spread of disease-carrying insects and air quality concerns are expected to worsen.
Fragile Nations Face the Greatest Challenges
The report introduces a new framework that evaluates not only children’s exposure to climate hazards but also their vulnerability based on access to critical services such as:
- Healthcare
- Clean drinking water
- Education
- Social protection
- Sanitation services
Countries such as Chad and the Central African Republic face some of the highest levels of climate vulnerability because children are exposed to multiple environmental threats while lacking access to essential services needed for recovery.
Similarly, children living in 24 Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including Haiti and Vanuatu, are particularly vulnerable to tropical storms that can impact entire islands and disrupt critical infrastructure simultaneously.
UNICEF Calls for Urgent Global Climate Action
The report warns that without immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, climate hazards will become more frequent, severe, and costly.
UNICEF is urging governments, businesses, and international organizations to take stronger action to protect children from the escalating climate crisis.
Key recommendations include:
Accelerate Emissions Reductions
UNICEF calls for ambitious efforts to meet international climate commitments, including:
- Rapid reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Gradual phase-out of fossil fuels.
- Expansion of renewable energy solutions.
- Support for a just and equitable energy transition.
Strengthen Climate Adaptation and Resilience
Governments are encouraged to prioritize children in national climate adaptation strategies by:
- Building climate-resilient schools and healthcare facilities.
- Improving food security systems.
- Strengthening water and sanitation infrastructure.
- Expanding child-focused disaster preparedness programs.
- Implementing effective multi-hazard early warning systems.
Empower Children and Young People
The report also highlights the importance of involving young people in climate solutions through:
- Climate education initiatives.
- Skills development programs.
- Youth participation in environmental decision-making.
- Protection of children’s rights to express their views on climate-related policies.
Investing in Children Is Investing in Climate Resilience
UNICEF stresses that strengthening essential services remains one of the most effective ways to protect children from the growing impacts of climate change.
“This analysis can help governments and decision-makers plan better and invest more effectively in resilient services,” said Catherine Russell. “When we strengthen health and education systems, and improve infrastructure with children in mind, we protect them from today’s climate threats and help secure their future.”
As climate-related disasters become more frequent and intense, the report serves as a stark reminder that children remain among the most vulnerable populations affected by global warming—and that urgent action is needed to safeguard future generations.
