In recent developments, an insightful analysis was conducted by Save the Children International, a child rights non-profit organization, based on the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN) to examine the impact of climate change on children globally.
The Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN)
The ND-GAIN is part of the Climate Change Adaptation Program of the University of Notre Dame’s Environmental Change initiative. Utilizing two decades of data, it provides an annual ranking of over 180 countries, assessing their vulnerability and readiness to adapt to global changes such as overcrowding, resource constraints, and climate disruption. It appraises six vital sectors: food, water, health, ecosystem service, human habitat, and infrastructure. The readiness of a country is gauged through three components – economic, governance, and social readiness. According to the 2018 scores, India ranked 122nd, making it the 48th most vulnerable and the 70th least ready country.
Key Points from the Analysis
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically 35 out of 45, face the highest level of climate risk. Chad, Somalia, Central African Republic, Eritrea, and Democratic Republic of Congo are the least capable of adapting to the climate change effects. This risk impacts an alarming 490 million children under 18 in these 35 African countries.
South Asia is not exempt from this, with 210 million of the 750 million high-risk children residing in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
Climate Change Impact on Children
Extreme weather events pose a significant danger to vulnerable children and their families. Existing health challenges like malaria and dengue fever are exacerbated by the changing climate, while new health risks emerge, particularly with an already strained healthcare system.
In the first half of 2020, climate change disasters displaced approximately 9.8 million people, predominantly in South and South-East Asia and the Horn of Africa.
Children are mainly threatened by food shortages, water scarcity, diseases, and rising water levels due to climate change. It has also been established that climate change disrupts food production, leading to local food scarcity and price hikes.
India’s Scenario: The Impact of Climate Change
According to a report from PwC in 2020, vulnerable populations, including children, indigenous people, and communities dependent on agricultural or coastal livelihoods, face a disproportionately higher risk due to climate change.
Climate change threatens children’s fundamental rights of survival, protection, development, and participation. It can result in orphanhood, trafficking, child labour, loss of education opportunities, family separation, homelessness, begging, trauma, emotional disruption, illnesses, and more.
India’s Performance in Other Related Indices
India ranked 10th in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2021, released by Germanwatch, the New Climate Institute, and the Climate Action Network. On the World Risk Index 2020, India stood 89th among 181 countries and was fourth-most-at-risk in South Asia.
The Indian Response to Climate Change
India has implemented several initiatives to combat climate change, including a shift from Bharat Stage-IV to Bharat Stage-VI emission norms, National Clean Air Programme, UJALA scheme, and the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
The Way Forward
To address the escalating impacts of climate change on children and their families, it’s crucial to scale up adaptive and shock-responsive social protection systems like grants for expectant mothers and children. More countries need to fulfill their commitment in the Convention on the Rights of the Child to protect every child from poverty. This can be achieved by providing universal child benefits to enhance children’s well-being and build resilience.