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Child health inequalities and climate change

Climate change poses an existential threat to the health and wellbeing of children and young people. But it is not experienced equally. We look at unequal exposure to its effects, capacity to adapt, food security and eco distress. It's time again to #ShiftTheDial
Document

Our position - the evidence and policy recommendations for UK

Actions to combat climate change could improve child health equity. And actions to improve equity have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our call to the four UK Governments: make child health central to climate policy development.

Our position

Our first tool for paediatricians outlines the evidence: how climate change impacts on children and young people’s health in the UK, and and how it exacerbates health inequalities.
Tool 1

Our second tool encourages you to try to influence decisions within systems and institutions. We explore how we can listen to different points of view and collectively identify solutions.
Tool 2

Our report, 'Preserving the world for future generations' gives insight into how children and young people - in the UK and internationally - perceive and understand climate change.
Report
Illustration of park with slide, on a slope marked social gradient. Sun beams with words: Eco anxiety, Capacity to adapt to climate change, Unequal food system, Unequal exposure to the effects of climate change. Beneath higher side of slope reads: Less deprivation, poverty and child deprivation; More green space; Nutritious food supply. Beneath lower side of slope reads: Higher deprivation, poverty and child deprivation; Deprived urban areas with less green space; Less access to nutritious food.

Related content

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Our latest news and blogs on health inequalities and/or climate change

All news
Professor Steve Turner, RCPCH President
President's update
3 March 2025

We paediatricians are lifelong learners – President’s update

When Steve joins events around the country, he’s reminded that coming together as communities of child health professionals is so important – for friendship as well as education. And, the College has been doing lots around public affairs on equal protection for children from assault, supervised toot...
Photo of Helena Clements
Blog
19 February 2025

Conducting climate action

After a busy start to the year, Helena Clements, RCPCH Officer for Climate Change, shares how she is building networks and fostering relationships to drive climate action for Children and Young People.