Climate Change, Migration And The Rights Of Children

Almost 20 million people were displaced from natural disasters in 2015 alone, the majority climate-related. A large proportion of the displaced are children, whether through voluntary or forced climate change related mobility. It is essential to recognize the relationship between climate change, migration and children’s rights, which has so far been largely overlooked in research, program design and policy-making.

Children comprise up to 50 per cent of the population in the Global South, the part of the world which is most affected by the impacts of climate change. People are displaced from, and migrating away from regions affected by climate change hazards such as sea level rise, storms and drought to escape risks, have secure livelihoods and work towards a better future. Sometimes, children may embark on this journey by themselves, families may bring their children with them or the children are left behind as their caregivers are compelled to seek opportunities separating families.