Guardians of the Planet- Asia Pacific Youth on Climate Crises and Disaster Risk Reduction

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The children and youth consultation on the climate crisis and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) was conducted from August 2019 to January 2020, across 12 countries and 1 regional consultation, with representatives from 21 countries, in Asia and the Pacific. Nearly 10,000 children and youth participated in the consultation. The consultation was jointly organised by a group of partners that included the Asia Pacific Coalition for Safe Schools, UNICEF, and UN Major Group Children and Youth and UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, World Vision International, Plan International, and Save the Children.

During the consultation, children and youth shared their views on climate-related disasters. They recognised the need to strengthen policies and plans to mitigate disaster risks and promote resilience.

This report is a compilation of the face-to-face and online consultation data gathered. Children and youth in Asia and the Pacific are no strangers to the negative impact of the climate crisis and call for a more inclusive approach to DRR and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) processes where they can be vital contributors.

Some of the key findings include:

  • 77% of children and youth have noticed more climate-related disasters locally in the last two years.

  • 99% of children and youth reported experiencing disaster risks in the past 12 months, with hydro-meteorological disasters risks (e.g. flooding, drought, typhoon/cyclone, El Niño, and La Niña accounting for over 50% of the reported experience.

  • 23% reported experiencing extreme temperatures, while 30% experienced floods or more severe rainfall. A decrease in economic opportunities is also reported as a visible impact of climate change.

  • Children recognise themselves as the most vulnerable during disasters followed by the elderly, people with disabilities and pregnant women.

  • 45% of children and youth expressed that people with disabilities are not given enough support to prepare for disasters.

  • Formal education is the top channel through which children and youth acquire knowledge about the climate crisis and DRR, followed by news and social media.

Some of the key recommendations include:

  • Inclusive approach to DRR and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) processes

  • Strengthening education curriculum on CCA

  • Mainstreaming and localising children and youth voices in climate discussions

The findings of the consultation will be used, by partners, to formulate a children and youth stakeholder-group action statement and presented to governments and regional bodies at the next Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR).

COVID-19 has severely impacted the vulnerable communities and children in Asia-Pacific. While organisations work on developing COVID-19 recovery measures, it is essential to listen to children and youths who have experienced climate change impact and include their suggestions and recommendation to accelerate the shift to alternatives that use cleaner energy, and to ensure a green and resilient approach for child well-being.

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Children have done the least to bring about climate change but will be the most affected by it – their voices must be heard. Provide space for active participation of girls, boys and young people in planning and decision-making processes related to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation at the community level. Engage children and youth as partners rather than the recipient of services and decisions related to the climate crisis and ensuring all data are segregated by gender, age and disabilities.

UN MGCY together with partners - APCSS, World Vision International, UNICEF, Save the children have prepared a report on the children and youth across Asia-Pacific. The twelve countries involved in the report development were Bangladesh, India, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, and Solomon Islands. The “Guardians of the Planet” is the result of both online surveys and face-to-face group discussions.

The results of the report aim to inform the inclusion in the development of DRR policy, of children and youth voices. The report is in line with Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), and its vision to recognize children and youth as agents of change if given the opportunity to raise their voices.

The report was launched on Wednesday, 16th September 2020, from 1200, Thailand Standard Time (THA).

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