Climate
“If I were at the government, I would propose to explain to students the phenomenon of global warming so that we are aware of what is happening in the world around us and we can immediately participate with virtuous behaviours.”
The climate crisis is already harming children’s minds, bodies, and rights across Europe through heatwaves, wildfires, floods, pollution, and the spread of disease.
In 2024, Save the Children stepped up its advocacy and programmatic work on climate’s impact on children, making climate action a top priority alongside the EU, which continues to show strong leadership through the Green Deal and related initiatives.
Our work at the heart of communities
IN NUMBERS
4
projects across Europe focusing on climate
"The fact that we are scared of climate change, climate crisis, it's actually a good sign because it's telling us we
know something that we are scared of happening, but we're not doing something. We're not spreading
awareness to other people to stop that."
Spotlight on... Albania
Eco-schools for Climate and Environment
Objective
To engage children, teachers, and communities in Albania in climate action and environmental education, fostering participation and inclusion.
Key activities
Children and teachers across nine schools actively monitor local air pollution levels and lead environmental awareness campaigns. Eco-clubs and school committees involve students and community members in both learning and advocacy efforts. The project integrates climate education into teacher training programs and provides curricular and extracurricular climate-related activities. Innovative initiatives such as the “School with 0 CO₂ Emission” pilot program are introduced, alongside participation in national and international youth climate challenges. The project also supports inclusive education by facilitating smooth transitions from early childhood education to primary school and encouraging child-led governance focused on safety and well-being.
Impact
The project empowers children to take leadership roles in climate action and heightens environmental awareness within schools and the broader community. By embedding climate education into teacher training and promoting inclusive learning environments, children are positioned as active contributors to local and global environmental efforts. Participants develop leadership skills and a strong sense of environmental responsibility. The initiative also fosters sustainable collaboration among schools, families, and local authorities, strengthening community engagement around climate and inclusion.
Spotlight on... North-West Balkans
Schools as Green Zones
Objective
To enhance the capacities of schools in climate change adaptation, mitigation, and disaster risk reduction, while fostering environmental awareness and eco-friendly practices among students.
Key activities
Following a pilot phase in 2022, the project expanded to support eight additional schools in becoming “eco-friendly.” Activities included improving waste management systems, monitoring air pollution, and integrating disaster risk reduction education. Students were actively engaged as climate action advocates within their schools and wider communities.
Impact
The initiative increased climate awareness and knowledge among students, improved environmental practices in participating schools, and empowered young people to act as agents of change, contributing to local climate action and strengthening community disaster resilience.
Joint European work
Strengthening partnerships in Brussels
Thanks to a newly strengthened focus on climate and children’s rights, Save the Children has actively aligned with a network of climate-focused civil society organisations in Brussels, while reinforcing collaborative efforts across the Movement on this critical issue.
Advocating for a fair transition
Building on our growing capacity and expertise, Save the Children Europe participated in a Civil Dialogue organised by DG EMPL on the Fair Transition to Climate Neutrality – Implementation of the Council Recommendations and Views on the Just Transition Framework. Supported by expert colleagues from Save the Children International’s Global Hub for Child Rights & Business, and drawing from the 2023 report Guaranteeing Children’s Future, we advocated for structural measures to ensure climate action does not worsen child poverty and social exclusion. Our focus included addressing energy poverty, quality housing, social protection measures, and education.
European Climate Pact
Additionally, Save the Children was honoured to be selected as a partner of the European Climate Pact. This partnership offers valuable opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and networking among ambassadors, partners, and the European Commission, enabling us to amplify the child rights perspective across Europe. Closing the year, Save the Children was also accepted as a member of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, further cementing our commitment to climate action and child-centred advocacy.
Hot and Happening: A pan-European initiative
One important example of transnational cooperation within the Movement is the development and successful award of the pan-European Save the Children project, “Hot and Happening.” Led by Save the Children Netherlands and involving five other Save the Children members—Albania, Lithuania, Romania, Sweden, and Europe—alongside three additional partners, this initiative exemplifies the 2023 synergy established across European offices to promote child participation.
The Hot and Happening project empowers children to engage meaningfully in climate and environmental decision-making at local, national, and European levels. It will scale up children’s participation in collaboration with community members and decision-makers across five European countries and Brussels. The project employs the innovative Speaking Minds (SpM) methodology—an engagement tool specifically designed to involve children and youth, particularly those less likely to participate in decision-making processes.
This methodology will be adapted for use across participating countries and upscaled to influence national and EU-level policy-making. Approximately 1,450 children and youth will benefit from this project, which aims to foster dialogue and empower all stakeholders towards meaningful climate action.
LOOKING AHEAD
📌 Our focus
Save the Children is committed to ensuring that children’s rights and voices are central to climate policies across Europe. As the European Commission refines its climate ambitions to enhance competitiveness and security, we continue to advocate for a rights-based approach that places children’s needs at the core.
🔑 Our priorities
We are sustaining advocacy for the integration of children’s perspectives in EU climate policies while expanding opportunities for children to engage directly with decision-makers through our Hot & Happening project. At the same time, we are exploring partnerships with key climate finance actors, including the European Investment Bank, to ensure children’s rights are fully integrated in energy transition and climate adaptation strategies.
📊 What’s next
- Preparing for the negotiations around the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, advocating for climate mainstreaming across the EU budget, balanced investment in mitigation and adaptation, and child-responsive financing that safeguards essential services for children against climate-related impacts.
- Roll out full implementation of the Hot and Happening project through national and EU level activities and child campaigning targeting decision makers.
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