Obun2 Launches Report on The Impact of Climate Change on Children in Pakistan
Obun2, a research-based organisation working on child rights and human rights, has launched a comprehensive report titled “The Impact of Climate Change on Children in Pakistan.” The report was officially unveiled on 22 June 2025 in Karachi during a two-day youth convention titled “Climate Change and the Role of Youth,” hosted at the Beach Luxury Hotel. The event brought together youth representatives, climate activists, civil society organisations, and policymakers to discuss how climate change is disproportionately affecting children in Pakistan and to advocate for urgent, child-focused climate action.
Authored by Obun2’s Research Analyst, Ms. Javeria Khan, the report sheds light on the multifaceted and growing risks that climate change poses to children’s survival, development, and rights. Drawing on national and international data, the report reveals that children make up nearly half of those affected by climate-related disasters in the country. During the 2022 floods, over 33 million people were impacted, and almost half of them were children. The floods damaged or destroyed more than 26,000 schools, leaving millions of children without access to education. The report also highlights alarming figures on child health, including an estimated 154,000 child deaths in 2019 attributed to air pollution. In the aftermath of disasters, child marriage and school dropout rates have surged, with child marriage reportedly increasing by 119 percent in flood-affected regions. Additionally, around 11 million children were exposed to hazardous levels of air pollution and toxic smog in 2024 alone.
The report warns that Pakistan’s children are being pushed further to the margins due to environmental degradation, weak infrastructure, and inadequate preparedness. Only 3 percent of children receive any form of disaster risk education, and there is little psychosocial or institutional support available to children who are displaced, traumatised, or living in fragile environments. Obun2 calls for urgent, child-centred policy reforms to address these challenges. Among the key recommendations are the establishment of a dedicated Child Climate Fund, investment in climate-resilient school infrastructure, integration of climate and disaster education in the national curriculum, provision of mental health and psychosocial support for children affected by climate emergencies, and stronger partnerships with private sector and humanitarian actors to prioritise child resilience.
The report was launched at a convention attended by hundreds of youth, who engaged in discussions, storytelling sessions, and presentations on innovative climate solutions. Civil society leaders, academics, and government representatives joined the youth in calling for a unified response to the climate crisis. Speakers at the event emphasised that climate change is not only an environmental issue, but a human rights challenge that directly impacts children’s education, health, protection, and overall wellbeing. They stressed that children and youth must be recognised not only as victims but as critical agents of change in shaping a sustainable and equitable future.
This landmark report marks an important step in bridging the gap between climate policy and child rights in Pakistan. It serves as a wake-up call for decision-makers and communities to prioritise children in all climate action efforts. Through research, advocacy, and youth engagement, Obun2 aims to strengthen the resilience of children and ensure that their voices are heard in climate decision-making at all levels.
Download the Report here
