Nearly 1.1 billion children are living under multiple climate threats, highlighting the growing impact of climate change on the world’s youngest generation. According to UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026, nearly half of all children globally now face at least three overlapping climate hazards, putting their health, education, safety, and long-term well-being at risk. The report paints a stark picture of a world where climate-related disasters are no longer isolated events but interconnected challenges that increasingly shape children’s daily lives.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell warned that children’s lives continue to be disrupted by escalating climate extremes, noting that half of the world’s children now live with multiple climate threats occurring simultaneously. From heatwaves and floods to droughts and air pollution, the risks are intensifying across both developing and developed nations.

Climate Risks Are Overlapping and Intensifying

For the first time, UNICEF mapped where children face the highest concentration of climate hazards and how these threats interact with essential services such as healthcare, education, water, and sanitation systems.

The report analyzed children’s exposure to eight major climate hazards:

• Extreme heat and prolonged heatwaves can affect health, learning outcomes, and access to essential services.
• Drought conditions that threaten food security, water availability, and agricultural livelihoods.
• River and coastal flooding can force families from their homes, disrupt daily life, and damage essential infrastructure such as schools, roads, hospitals, and water systems.
• Wildfires, sandstorms, and dust storms can significantly worsen air quality, increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses and other health problems, especially among children.
• Tropical storms can interrupt education, overwhelm healthcare services, damage homes and businesses, and create long-lasting economic challenges for affected communities.

Key Findings from the Report

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Air Pollution and Disease Add to the Burden

Beyond climate hazards, the report examined climate-sensitive risks such as air pollution and malaria. The findings show that air pollution now affects almost every child worldwide, while approximately one billion children live in areas exposed to malaria.

These additional threats often compound existing vulnerabilities, making it harder for communities to protect children during climate-related emergencies.

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Some Regions Face Greater Risks Than Others

The report identifies the African Sahel as one of the most severely affected regions, where more than four million children face the combined threat of heatwaves, extreme heat, and sand and dust storms.

Across Asia, countries including Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan are experiencing some of the highest concentrations and intensities of overlapping climate hazards anywhere in the world.

The report also highlights that wealthier countries are not immune. In Italy, more than six million children are exposed to prolonged heatwaves and drought conditions, demonstrating that climate risks are becoming increasingly global.

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UNICEF Calls for Urgent Action

The report emphasizes that without rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, climate hazards will become more frequent and severe, placing additional pressure on public services and government resources.

To protect children, UNICEF is urging governments and businesses to:

• Accelerate emissions reductions and strengthen commitments under international climate agreements.
• Invest in climate adaptation measures that make schools, hospitals, and essential services more resilient.
• Improve disaster preparedness and risk management systems that prioritize children’s needs.
• Expand climate education programs and give young people a stronger voice in climate-related decision-making.

The fact that 1.1 billion children are living under multiple climate threats is more than a climate statistic; it is a warning about the future of an entire generation. UNICEF argues that investing in resilient infrastructure, stronger social services, and climate adaptation today will not only protect children from current risks but also help secure their future in an increasingly uncertain climate.

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