Who we are

We are a global coalition advocating for children’s right to live in a clean, green, healthy and sustainable world

Our story

Children are among the most vulnerable to environmental harm.

The numbers are truly shocking. More than 1 in 4 children under the age of five – or 1.7 million children – lose their lives every year as a result of avoidable environmental impacts. Millions more suffer disease, disability, and other forms of harm, many of which result in lifelong suffering.

From toxic air pollution and chemicals, to the climate crisis and unprecedented global biodiversity loss, environmental issues pose grave threats to children’s rights and jeopardize the lives of both current and future generations.

Children are not only physiologically and emotionally more vulnerable to these risks due to their unique stage of development – they are also among the least empowered to exercise their most fundamental rights to information, to be heard in decision-making on environmental issues, and to seek justice for violations of their rights.

Despite the immense barriers they face, children have consistently demonstrated their capacity to provide meaningful and powerful action to address environmental risks.

We are a team of activists, technical experts, policymakers and young people from around the world that have long fought for children and the environment. We have come together, bringing our greatest strengths, to make sure that children’s fundamental right to a safe and healthy environment is recognized and fulfilled.

We aim to do this by:

Raising awareness among decision-makers

Empowering children and youth

Building government capacity

Convening stakeholders

Gathering best practices

Our team

The Children’s Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) is conducted under the auspices of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, in collaboration with core partners:

Collaborating partners

Core partners work with collaborating partners on project-specific tasks. These partners may provide funds, logistical support, expertise or other in-kind support:

Contact us!

Special thanks to the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for sponsoring our website.