Better Business
A Child Right’s Lens to Just Transition
The very economic system that has helped deliver many gains for children over the past three decades is now threatening their survival, health, and well-being as it drives the climate change and causes pollution that is poisoning the places where children live, play, and go to school.
Climate and children’s rights
The business sector has to play a key role in respecting children’s rights to a clean and safe environment, as laid out in the Convention of the Rights of the Child, which includes the protection of children in the face of climate change (OHCHR GC26). Many businesses are already committed to contributing to the mitigation of climate change by reducing their own emissions and are reviewing sustainability of their practices vis-à-vis energy production, manufacturing, transportation, the use of plastics etc.
While these efforts are important, investments in climate change adaptation and resilience building are urgently needed. The consequences of the changing climate are already felt in many parts of the world as demonstrated by more frequent and more severe flooding, droughts, wildfires, etc. and children are disproportionally affected by it. Not only are children physically more vulnerable than adults but they are also entirely dependent on the choices of decision-makers who often do not consider their interests or indeed the child rights impacts of their decision making, whether that be at the policy, planning, or implementation level.
Not only is there a general need for an accelerated shift to a low-carbon economy – but also a need for that transition to be fair and inclusive. We need to ensure that vulnerable populations are not left behind and everyone is thought into the equation through social interventions that secure children- and human rights and livelihoods. Building the climate resilience of the services on which children depend is central to a just transition.
That’s why UNICEF works strategically at international, national, and local levels to ensure that infrastructure serving children can withstand climate-related events. We partner with businesses, governments, and civil society to protect schools, healthcare centers, and water systems from the effects of the climate crisis and use sustainable energy sources in order not to contribute to further pollution. We know that securing every child’s right to education, water and healthcare systems can help them reach their full potential.
Nordic business roundtable on a child rights lens to just transition
Thirteen Nordic business actors from various industries attended a Nordic Business Roundtable on the theme “A Child Rights Lens to Just Transitions, which was organised by UNICEF Sweden and IKEA.
The objective of the roundtable was to better understand how children’s rights play a part in business’ efforts to combat climate change and the just transition agenda. It also sought to identify the key knowledge gaps to be addressed, as well as risks, opportunities and business actions needed to embed children’s rights in their plans, strategies, and processes.
Key Findings – What do businesses need to do to ensure a just transition that respects and supports children’s rights?
1. A comprehensive approach to just transitionThe dialogues during the roundtable revealed two overarching themes when applying the child rights lens to just transition:
2. Applying the child rights lens to climate strategy and transitions in the business contextThe conversations also highlighted some major children’s rights implications and opportunities relevant to businesses’ climate change efforts and transition agendas.
3. Enabling the meaningful participation of childrenAlthough many companies saw the value in engaging directly with children as stakeholders, they found it challenging to ensure that participation was meaningful both for the children and the business representatives.
Nordic business roundtable on a child rights lens to just transition
Thirteen Nordic business actors from various industries attended a Nordic Business Roundtable on the theme “A Child Rights Lens to Just Transitions, which was organised by UNICEF Sweden and IKEA. The objective of the roundtable was to better understand how children’s rights play a part in business’ efforts to combat climate change and the just transition agenda. It also sought to identify the key knowledge gaps to be addressed, as well as risks, opportunities and business actions needed to embed children’s rights in their plans, strategies, and processes.
A set of resources around the just transition has been developed for further reading:
Report: The coldest year of the rest of their lives | UNICEFThe climate crisis is rapidly accelerating, and heatwaves are becoming longer, stronger, more widespread, and more frequent. This report provides evidence that children are on the front lines of the climate crisis.
Report: The Climate Crisis is a Child Rights Crisis | UNICEFThis report presents a conceptual framework, a tool and an initial assessment at a global level of children’s exposure and vulnerability to climate and environmental hazards, shocks and stresses – in order to help prioritize action for those most at risk.
Atlas: Children’s Climate Risk AtlasThe interactive Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI) uses data to generate new global evidence on how many children are currently exposed to climate and environmental hazards, shocks, and stresses.
Guidance: Just Transition for Climate Adaptation: A Business Brief (UN Global Compact 2022)This brief aims to highlight the important role of adaptation action for large multinational corporations that aim to achieve a just transition. Its focus is on how businesses can adapt to minimize climate change risks and impacts in a just and equitable manner.
Statement: Business statement: Accelerating climate adaptation for every child ‘; ICC ‘; International Chamber of Commerce (iccwbo.org)Ahead of COP27, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and global business leaders have released a joint statement calling on governments and businesses to take decisive action in accelerating climate adaptation and ensuring that the focus on children’s rights remain central to discussions, negotiations, and actions.