Worse, the number could triple if countries do not fulfill their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and ensure that climate financing prioritizes social and climatic resilience services for children.
The finding comes in a report by the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), published on Thursday in Panama.
Leading to the worst
The report examines the possible effects of extreme climatic events in increasing poverty between children and young people, together with national efforts to reduce GHG emissions, as well as strategies to adapt and reduce losses and damage caused by climate change.
The 5.9 million figure represents the most optimistic scenario. However, if governments take to implement actions to address mitigation and adaptation, as well as loss and damage, The number could reach 17.9 million.
Roberto Benes, regional director of UNICEF for Latin America and the Caribbean, said that children and adolescents have the greatest load of climate change.
Their developing bodies are more vulnerable to cyclones, heat waves and other extreme phenomena that at the same time interrupt the livelihoods of their families and their education.
“If children and young people do not have resources to meet their basic needs and develop their potential, and if there are no adequate social protection systems, the inequalities of the region will only be perpetuated,” he said.
Protect children and young people
However, despite their vulnerability, climatic finances do not prioritize resistant services for health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation that children and young people need, to guarantee their optimal cognitive and physical development.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, Only 3.4 percent of all multilateral climatic finances are dedicated to childrenAccording to the report. This is happening in a moment of fund cuts and a reduction in development aid in unprecedented needs.
The report recommends that regional governments take action, even when strengthening the climatic resilience of social services and critical infrastructure to better protect children and young people, with a particular approach in the first 1,000 days of life.
The authorities are urged to increase the financing of children sensitive to children, with actions that are specifically directed to the needs of children in different ages.
They must also promote greater climatic awareness, education, empowerment and participation of children and young people. In addition, environmental and climatic education should be included in school curricula and educational programs.
The report also recommends that countries promote adaptive social protection policies and emergency response that explain the specific needs of children and adolescents.