South Asia is one of the most vulnerable regions globally to a number of direct and indirect effects of climate change. In the 2017 edition German Watch’s Climate Risk Index Bangladesh and Pakistan respectively ranked sixth and seventh as the countries most affected by climate change in the period from 1996 to 2015.The Executive Director of UNICEF has stated that “there may be no greater, growing threat facing the world’s children — and their children — than climate change”.
In the context of Pakistan we have seen how displacements resulting from floods, earthquakes and droughts have put children at a higher risk of abuse, child labour and trafficking.
It is therefore crucial to embark in a global, regional and national child participatory journey to address environmental and child protection issues.

• Click on the link below to read Unicef’s report ‘Unless We Act Now’ highlighting the impact of climate change on children.

Unless We Act Now

• Click on the link below to read the report of the Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment:

Human Rights Obligations

1. GDP Goes Green

• GDP follows the “practice what we preach theory” hence, we are happy to share our “go green “policy to present how we try to work in an eco-friendly manner.

Go Green

2. Human Rights Council Side Event- The Voice of Children at Climate COP27 and Beyond:

• Children from Pakistan participated in the COP27: they took part in a dialogue between children and other experts on child rights and climate change to identify recommendations to advance child participation and climate action for children, in a way that protects children and their rights. Children from Pakistan and from other countries discussed practical ways through which children can participate in climate related discussions in an empowering and safe manner with a view to build on lessons learned. A set of concrete recommendations to guide States’ actions during the COP and beyond COP27 were formulated by children: those will inform the way forward to take affirmative actions to combat the climate crisis.

3. Briefing and Dialogue on How Climate Change Affects Violence against Children organized by UNSRSG on VAC:

• Pakistani children participated in a briefing and dialogue on how climate change affects children, which was organized by the UNSRSG on VAC. Children from Pakistan shared their video messages for decision makers globally regarding what actions must be taken to a) address the climate crisis and b) better protect children from the subsequent trend of Violence Against Children.