Climate change is undoubtedly one of the main challenges affecting our world. It also has profound affect on children’s lives and well-being. Contributing to our mission to exchange knowledge on issues that affect the rights and well-being of children, ICDI is launching a series of articles about how children’s lives are being affected by climate change. The first in the series, published today focusses on the landmark General Comment No. 26 on Children’s Rights and the Environment and what it means for NGOs working with and for children and youth. Read the full article here.
Extract
Protecting the Future: UN Launches General Comment on Children’s Rights and Climate Change
“what is good for children and nature is good for humanity.”
(Esmeralda Curi Quispe, Member of the Youth Advisory Board to the General Comment No.26)
This article starts echoing the statement of Esmeralda, a Peruvian girl and climate activist. In a loud and firm voice she reflected on this powerful statement during the launching ceremony of General Comment No. 26 on Children’s Rights and the Environment with a special focus on climate change in the Palais des Nations, Geneva on 18th September 2023
The most recent General Comment, GC26, provides guidance on how the environmental crisis affects children’s rights and what states must do to ensure a cleaner, greener, healthier, and more sustainable world for children. It emphasises the urgent need to address the adverse effects of environmental degradation, with a special focus on climate change and the enjoyment of children’s rights.
At the launching ceremony, the Children’s Advisory Team members shared the panel with the chair of the Committee and other guests, making their voices heard loud and clear. The children’s key demands of adults include:
- A clean and healthy environment
- To be listened to, taken seriously and play a role in environmental action
- Clear and transparent actions from governments, corporations and all adults
- Cooperation across countries and regions of the world
- Awareness raising and environmental education
- Spaces to share their ideas for potential solutions
Climate Action – Protect the planet and our future!
In line with our dedication to climate action, ICDI joined forces on Sunday, November 12th, with Save the Children, SOS Kinderdorpen, Defence for Children, Right to Play, Liliane Fonds, and a crowd of 85,000 other passionate protesters. Our collective aim was to spotlight children as the focal point of climate action, not only in the Netherlands but globally.
Come back soon to our website to read the next installment of the series and learn about our efforts in climate action.
