Study on Young Children and Climate Change in India

India consistently ranks in the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change (Eckstein et al., 2021) and, if things do not change, the effects will be drastic. With 10% of India’s population under the age of 6 (Our World in Data, 2021), young children are uniquely vulnerable to the effects of climate change (Sidhu & Mahat, 2021).

Climate action in urban India usually does not consider the needs of young children and their caregivers. There is a need for more empirical research and for leadership at the local and central levels (Xu, Sheffield, et al., 2012).

The research report has three main components:

1. Baseline assessment of climate change impact on young children and caregivers
2. Primary data collection on air pollution and temperature in four cities in North India: Delhi, Gandhinagar, Kharagpur, and Roorkee
3. Recommendations for specific and targeted interventions, including a master checklist developed as a planning tool for local-level policymakers

The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive actions and policies that prioritise the wellbeing and future of young children in the face of environmental challenges. A combination of mitigation and adaptation strategies that are tailored for young children are necessary to ensure that the impact of climate change on India’s future is minimal. Current initiatives that target young children, while necessary and impactful, largely ignore future climate risks and impacts to their own detriment. In order for climate action to be truly sustainable and effective, policymakers must not only consider the specific vulnerabilities and needs of young children, but also integrate these perspectives into decision-making processes.

Supported by the Van Leer Foundation, the study was conducted in joint partnership: ICLEI South Asia, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, and Jawaharlal Nehru University. For full references, please download the report.