Alana Institute introduces #Kidsfirst- a civil campaign that puts children at the center of the climate crisis at COP27
#KidsFirst is a civil society campaign that puts the interests of children and adolescents at the center of the climate crisis debate. Children represent a third of the global population and are the ones who suffer the most from the impacts of climate change. From natural disasters to water and food shortages, these impacts undermine children’s development and put their basic rights at risk.
In 2022, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the UNFCCC – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, but in thirty years, no decision taken in this forum has focused on protecting children in the face of the climate crisis. At COP27, #KidsFirst can change that. We need to take into account the catastrophic implications posed by climate change for children’s rights and listen to the growing global movement of children and youth calling for ambitious climate action.Amongst talks about the climate crisis , children are not taken into account in the debate or negotiations. Children, especially black, indigenous and quilombola girls, are the most affected by a problem they did not create. And the impacts of this crisis affect their physical and mental health, access to education and way of life.About 1 billion children and adolescents live in countries classified as having extremely high climate risk, therefore needing reinforced and specific measures to protect the new generations, especially children and young people from the Global South – poor, black, indigenous and with disabilities –, the invisible victims of the climate crisis. A safe climate for children is a safe climate for everyone. You can learn more about the effects of climate chanche on children here.
Children's Action Plan (CAP) is an essential COP agreement that aims to promote child responsive climate action.CAP's mission is to integrate their needs as children and ensure their full participation in the areas of adaptation, engagement, finance, global stocktake and gender in a coherent, equitable and meaningful way in the implementation of the UNFCCC processes through all its stakeholders.
You can help support #KidsFirst by-
- Including children as a priority in climate finance, adaptation and loss and damage mechanisms
- Respecting gender equity, especially girls
- Defending the rights of indiginous children and traditional communities in all dimensions
- Supporting the creation of a Children Action Plan (CAP), which proposes to mainstream children's rights in climate negotiations.
More information and key documents regarding #KidsFirst and the movement to center children in the fight against climate change can be found here.
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