|

UNICEF Australia Statement on the National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan

15 September 2025

The release of the Australian Government’s first National Climate Risk Assessment (NCRA) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP) is an important step in assessing and preparing for the escalating impacts of climate change. Given the findings of the NCRA, Australia must do more to protect children and young people, who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and will live longest with the consequences of a warming planet.

The NCRA highlights that climate change is already harming children’s physical and mental health and wellbeing, as Australia’s land surface has warmed by 1.5°C since 1910. At 2°C, severe heatwave days could double and by 3°C, they may quadruple, driving a sharp rise in heat-related deaths that already disproportionately affect children due to their age and unique physiology.

The NAP builds on this evidence base, outlining a national approach to adaptation across seven key systems. UNICEF Australia commends the NAP’s emphasis on vulnerable populations, place-based approaches and empowering local communities to lead adaptation efforts. We also welcome the NAP’s focus on building climate resilient infrastructure, including health systems, and partnerships with First Nations communities. These priorities, alongside principles of targeted, evidence-based and collaborative action, could provide tangible benefits for younger generations.

However, the NAP does not explicitly identify children and young people as a distinct group requiring targeted adaptation measures. References to education systems and post-disaster mental health impacts are limited, despite their far-reaching consequences. There is also a need for a dedicated strategy for child-focused adaptation and meaningful youth engagement in climate policymaking, beyond the Youth Advisory Group on climate change adaptation and water.

While the NAP signals that targeted support for children and youth will be a future priority for the health and social sectors, the reality is that climate change is already disrupting childhoods. Children cannot afford to wait. Our new research with Deloitte estimates that disasters already cost Australian children more than $6.3 billion annually through lost education, health impacts, child abuse and displacement. Adaptation for children must go beyond health and social supports to include education, early learning, and child-focused services, particularly in disaster-prone, rural, remote and communities experiencing disadvantage.

Children and young people are affected by climate-related risks in distinct ways from adults. A truly effective approach to national adaptation must recognise this reality.

While a national understanding of risk is an important first step, there is still a need for rapid, localised, child-sensitive risk assessments to inform tailored responses.

UNICEF Australia urges the Government to:

  • Prioritise children and young people in the implementation of the NAP and future adaptation planning, recognising their unique vulnerabilities and rights.
  • Ensure the forthcoming Health National Adaptation Plan includes a child-specific focus on physical and mental health.
  • Apply a child and future generations lens to risk assessment by incorporating tools such as UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Index into the Australian context.
  • Invest in the resilience of child-focused services and infrastructure, particularly in disaster-prone, rural, remote and disadvantaged communities.
  • Establish a national disaster framework for children and young people, dedicated to recovery and resilience to enhance coordination.
  • Create pathways for meaningful youth engagement in climate policymaking.
  • Invest in child-sensitive climate mitigation strategies to reduce emissions and protect future generations.

UNICEF Australia encourages ongoing ambition and action to build on this foundation and ensure the NAP evolves to meet children’s needs effectively.

Climate adaptation is about protecting the foundations of childhood. Australia’s children deserve a future where they can grow up safe, healthy and resilient in a changing climate. We stand ready to work with the Government, communities and young people to make this vision a reality.