In 2024, the climate crisis affected millions of students worldwide. Schools were disrupted, making it hard for children to learn and for communities to grow. The United Nations and the Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies (EiE Hub) emphasize the need for strong education systems that can withstand climate challenges. They call on countries to focus on children’s education at the upcoming COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil.
Without immediate action, many children may fall behind in their studies. UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, pointed out that kids are especially vulnerable when disasters strike. They struggle to focus in classrooms without proper cooling or when flooded paths keep them from school. Last year, severe weather kept one in seven students from attending class, affecting their health and future.
Current data from UNICEF shows that around half of the world’s school-aged children are not receiving quality education, with approximately 1 billion living in high-risk areas for climate disasters. In 2024 alone, about 242 million students faced interruptions due to climate-related events, including over 118 million affected by heatwaves in May.
The impact is severe in the Global South, where frequent disasters disrupt economies and worsen inequality. Vulnerable groups such as women, girls, and disabled individuals face increased risks like violence and early marriage. A report by UNICEF and the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean warned that without intervention, up to 5.9 million children could slip into poverty by 2030, with that figure potentially rising to as high as 17.9 million.
Experts from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) identify the Asia-Pacific region as particularly vulnerable, where rising sea levels threaten communities relying on agriculture and fisheries. This not only affects their livelihoods but also leads to increased dropout rates among students. A World Bank report shows that natural disasters can disrupt education and increase child labor, especially for girls.
Roberto Benes, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighted the importance of adequate resources for children’s needs. Education systems get a small portion of climate funding; only 2.4% of multilateral climate action budgets go toward making schools climate-resilient from 2006 to 2023. Less than half of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 2.0) focused on children, leaving them overlooked in many discussions.
The EiE Hub urges governments and organizations to prioritize education in climate action plans. Every dollar spent on education can lead to a significant increase in a country’s GDP. They also stress involving children in climate policy decisions and providing resilient school infrastructure. By integrating climate education into curricula, we can empower future generations to combat climate change.
Overall, prioritizing education in conversations about climate action is essential. Investing in schools not only safeguards education but also promotes long-term economic stability and resilience.
For more on the intersection of climate and education, see the [UNICEF](https://www.unicef.org/reports/climate-crisis-child-rights-crisis) report.
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Climate Change, Combating Desertification and Drought, Crime & Justice, Development & Aid, Economy & Trade, Education, Environment, Gender Violence, Global, Health, Human Rights, Labour, Migration & Refugees, Oritro Karim, Inter Press Service, global issues
