The climate crisis is a child rights crisis. Climate change and environmental degradation adversely affect the healthy growth, development, and wellbeing of children. Children often fare the worst in climate- and weather-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and forest fires. They face additional risks of exposure and have lower tolerance levels to climate and environmental risks. Despite bearing the brunt of these impacts, children are consistently overlooked in the design and content of climate policies and processes.

To examine the climate and environmental impacts of children as an especially vulnerable group, UNICEF Malaysia together with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Sabah conducted an exploratory study titled “Impact of Climate Change on Children: A Malaysian Perspective”. The study report reveals the crucial interconnections between climate change and environmental degradation and children’s health and wellbeing in Malaysia.

Informed by case series reviews, desk studies, community cases, analysis of policy and legal documents and engagements with stakeholders, the study sheds light on the extent to which national climate policies and plans are child-sensitive, while highlighting gaps and opportunities for action.