The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report provides a stark reminder of the narrowing window to limit the impact of climate change (It’s over for fossil fuels: IPCC spells out what’s needed to avert climate disaster, 4 April). Making the case for the low-carbon transition means recognising that children’s lives and rights are being affected now and over their lifetimes – especially girls, those with disabilities, Indigenous children and those living in lower-income communities and countries. The IPCC reports provide the core evidence base that guides policy, investment and business decisions. It is therefore critical that children’s needs and voices are more visible in these reports, so we can send stronger signals to decision-makers to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and better adapt to climate change impacts.
We call on the national governments that direct the IPCC to recognise the importance of children and future generations by commissioning an IPCC special report on children and climate change. This can synthesise not only the evidence of impacts of climate change on children, but also evidence on what works to protect their rights – including their ability to understand and take action on climate change.
Dr Thomas Tanner Soas University of London, Gautam Narasimhan Unicef, Faith Nimineh ChildFund Alliance, Brigitte Rudram Plan International, Yolande Wright Save the Children, Jason Garrett World Vision International
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