Putting children at the heart of climate change adaptation policies via Allyship, Bias Recognition and Child Centeredness: A global qualitative interview study

Abstract

Human-induced climate change significantly impacts human health, with children being particularly susceptible to its impacts. National Adaptation Plans serve as the main framework for countries to establish targets and strategies to tackle the health impacts of climate change. However, child health remains largely neglected in national adaptation planning globally. This study seeks to identify facilitators for the inclusion of child health in adaptation policies through in-depth interviews with researchers and policymakers. We interviewed 18 stakeholders (across 11 countries in 5 continents), representing different geographic locations and income levels, involved in writing National Adaptation Plans. We analyzed verbatim transcripts thematically. In instances where child health components were incorporated, or respondents felt that headway on child inclusion was imminent, three themes most pointedly emerged related to child health inclusion in climate change policies, namely an ability to: Attract Allies (across government sectors and geographic boundaries), Beware Biases (to overcome hesitation about legitimate child needs), and Collaborate with Children. As countries are set to increase their level of ambition and need to both update and create National Adaptation Plans, we hope the ABC framework can guide efforts on how to best incorporate children’s health needs into responsive climate change adaptation policies.