Climate change is increasingly recognized as a defining challenge of the 21st century, marked by rising global temperatures, sea-level rise, and the intensification of extreme weather events and associated natural disasters. Beyond its environmental and economic consequences, climate change also poses critical risks to human health and safety, particularly for children and adolescents, who represent one of the most vulnerable populations (Philipsborn & Chan, 2018). According to the United Nations (2022), the impacts of climate change can exacerbate pre-existing crises, including the socioeconomic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic instability, and armed conflict. Collectively, these interrelated factors heighten exposure to violence, abuse, and exploitation, positioning climate change as a significant risk multiplier in the domain of child protection.
The present study sought to investigate how climate change may influence patterns of violence against minors and, more broadly, how it relates to child vulnerability. To address this objective, we conducted a scoping review of the contemporary scientific literature, guided by the PRISMA-ScR framework. A structured search was carried out in major academic databases, including Scopus and PubMed, focusing on studies published in the last decade (2014–2024).
Although the research field remains nascent, the findings converge on several important insights. Climate-related disasters and stressors appear to exacerbate risks across multiple domains, including:
- Increased exposure to gender-based and family violence,
- Heightened likelihood of child marriage and neglect under economic hardship,
- Restricted access to healthcare, shelter, and social services,
- Disruption of education and elevated risks of child labor.
Moreover, the evidence suggests that climate change acts synergistically with existing vulnerabilities, thereby amplifying psychosocial risks and undermining child and adolescent well-being. These preliminary findings underscore the urgent need for further empirical research, as well as the development of integrated, child-focused policies aimed at prevention, resilience-building, and protection.
By framing climate change as both an environmental and a child rights challenge, this review contributes to a growing body of literature that calls for cross-sectoral responses and global cooperation to safeguard children and adolescents in the era of the climate crisis.
Markopoulou E. & Risvas, C. (2025). Climate Change: Violence and Multiple Vulnerability in Children and Adolescents [Conference presentation]. 1st International Conference “Violence Against Minors” 2025, Athens, Greece
Office of the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Violence Against Children, United Nations. (2022). The climate crisis and violence against children. Retrieved from: https://violenceagainstchildren.un.org/sites/violenceagainstchildren.un.org/files/the-climate-crisis-and-violence-against-children.pdf Accessed at 27/10/2024
