UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026, Key Findings

The Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026 released by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) highlights a serious and growing crisis where climate change is directly affecting children’s health, nutrition, education and safety in India. The report shows that almost every child in India is exposed to at least one climate hazard, while the vast majority face multiple overlapping risks at the same time.

The report is based on global child hazard data and maps how children are exposed to climate-related risks such as droughts, floods, heatwaves, storms and extreme weather events. 

Key Findings of the Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026 

The report finds that 97% of children in India are exposed to at least two overlapping climate or disaster-related hazards.

It estimates that 411.62 million children in India are exposed to at least two climate-related hazards, including drought, floods, tropical storms, heatwaves, wildfires and sandstorms.

Major Climate Hazards Affecting Children

More than 234 million children, nearly 55% of India’s child population, face at least three climate hazards, 

• The most common combination is drought and extreme heat, affecting more than 158.8 million children, followed by combinations such as tropical storms with drought and heat, and riverine floods with drought and heat.
• The report identifies drought as the most widespread hazard, affecting more than 96% of children (about 410.2 million) and posing a serious threat to food security and livelihoods.
• Around 155.7 million children are exposed to tropical storms, which damage homes, schools and healthcare facilities, while 89.3 million children face heatwaves, and 66.9 million are exposed to riverine floods.

These hazards often overlap or occur in quick succession, reducing recovery time for families and increasing long-term vulnerability.

Health, Nutrition and Environmental Risks

The report highlights severe environmental health risks linked with climate change.

• Nearly 421 million children (about 99%) are exposed to unhealthy air pollution levels, with India receiving an air pollution risk score of 9.94 out of 10, indicating extremely high exposure.
• About 294.1 million children live in malaria-prone areas, showing how climate conditions are expanding disease risks.
• Droughts and floods also damage crops, disrupt food systems and worsen malnutrition, especially when nearly 40% of children already live in severe food poverty. 
• The report gives India a food poverty score of 6.31, a nutrition risk score of 6.41, and a stunting score of 6.51, reflecting high vulnerability.

Education Disruptions Due to Climate Change

Climate change is increasingly disrupting schooling in India. 

• In 2024, 54.78 million students in India were affected by climate-related school disruptions, with heatwaves being the main cause.
• Recent examples include school closures in Odisha, revised school timings in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, and temporary shutdowns in Jharkhand and Uttarakhand due to extreme heat conditions reaching 42°C–45°C.

Water, Sanitation and Social Protection Challenges

Climate hazards are also affecting access to safe water and sanitation.

• Floods contaminate water sources, while droughts reduce availability, increasing disease risks.
• The report also highlights that about 48% of children under 15 in India are not covered under social protection programmes, making families more vulnerable during climate shocks.

Globally, it warns that without urgent action, climate change could result in an additional 28 million children suffering from wasting and 40 million from stunting by 2050.

UNICEF Recommendations

UNICEF calls for placing children at the centre of climate action and strengthening systems to reduce their vulnerability.

• It recommends reducing greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating a transition towards renewable energy in line with the 1.5°C goal.
• It stresses strengthening climate adaptation and disaster preparedness systems to manage floods, droughts, heatwaves and storms more effectively.
• The report also calls for making schools, healthcare systems and water infrastructure climate-resilient so that essential services continue during disasters.
• UNICEF further recommends expanding social protection coverage, including emergency cash transfers, to support vulnerable families during climate shocks.
• Finally, it urges governments to integrate children’s needs into climate policies and climate finance decisions at all levels to ensure inclusive and child-centred climate governance.

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