In a significant revelation, a workshop jointly organized by ICLEI South Asia and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) shed light on the heightened climate vulnerabilities faced by young children and pregnant women in urban Indian contexts. The event, held at the Dome Hall, Ambassador Hotel, New Delhi, showcased findings from two comprehensive studies conducted between January 2022 and December 2023. These studies underscored the disproportionate impact of climate change, air pollution, and insufficient access to child-friendly public spaces on the well-being of these vulnerable groups.
The “Study on Young Children and Climate” (SYCC), a groundbreaking initiative led by ICLEI South Asia, JNU, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Roorkee, revealed the significant challenges posed by climate change and air pollution on young children aged 0 to 5 and their caregivers, with a particular focus on Early Childhood Development (ECD) sites. The study employed a dual approach, reviewing existing secondary data and collecting extensive primary data from four Indian cities—Delhi, Gandhinagar, Kharagpur, and Roorkee.
A second study, conducted by ICLEI South Asia and Ipsos Research Pvt Ltd, delved into the usage of public spaces by young children, their caregivers, and pregnant women across 18 Indian cities. Through household surveys and interviews with city officials, the study identified key barriers and opportunities in public space utilization. The findings emphasize the critical need for child-friendly and accessible urban environments, calling for informed urban planning decisions.
The research, supported by the Van Leer Foundation, involved consultations with diverse stakeholders, including citizens, civil society organizations, and government officials. Ipshita Sinha, India Representative, Van Leer Foundation, stressed the importance of collaborations to address challenges in urban settings and emphasized the role of nature and public spaces in child development.
Dr. Debolina Kundu, Director, NIUA, underscored the need for urgent action to provide clean, safe, and nurturing environments for over 500 million children globally, particularly the 12.7 million urban migrants facing severe health conditions. The workshop served as a call to action to build sustainable and empathetic cities that prioritize the needs of their youngest residents.
Key findings revealed variations in risk levels and adaptive capacities across different cities, impacting young children and caregivers differently. Even essential ECD sites, while relatively more protected, expose young children to harmful pollutants and high heat levels.
Dr. Sumita Ghosh, OSD (Health), NITI Aayog, emphasized strategic initiatives, advocacy, education, and cutting-edge research as essential components for forging a path toward a resilient and sustainable future. The success of proposed solutions relies on community engagement, continuous monitoring, and collaboration at various levels.
The workshop concluded with a strong message advocating for empowering communities with information and tools for advocacy and fostering collaborations for further research into how climate change affects pregnancy health and the development of young children.
