Hot summers make people sick, but children are ignored

New study by Terre des Hommes and the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues

While heat waves demonstrably lead to increased exhaustion, concentration problems, and psychological stress in children and adolescents, they remain largely invisible in German climate adaptation strategies. This is the key finding of an analysis of climate adaptation concepts developed by the federal government, the states, and the ten largest German cities, conducted by the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues on behalf of Terre des Hommes .

Every hot summer takes a toll on children's concentration, sleep, and mental health – yet children are largely neglected in German climate change adaptation strategies. A new study by Terre des Hommes and the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues shows that children's rights are barely enshrined in climate adaptation plans and that the participation of children and young people is virtually nonexistent. The organizations are therefore calling for urgent action to change this.

Study: Children's rights are lacking as a benchmark, participation is the exception

The analysis shows that while German climate adaptation strategies recognize children and young people as a vulnerable group to heat and UV radiation, they neglect other climate-related health risks such as heavy rainfall, allergens, and mental health issues. Children's rights—such as the right to a healthy environment, reaffirmed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2023—are not cited as a binding benchmark.

Most of the concepts were developed without any involvement from children and young people. "People talk about children and young people, but rarely with them," the study summarizes. Daycare centers, schools, and playgrounds are primarily seen as infrastructure to be protected, but not as spaces for participation and self-efficacy.

Demand: From protected objects to actors

Given that the German Climate Adaptation Act obliges the federal states to submit climate adaptation concepts by January 31, 2027, Terre des Hommes and the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues demand:

• Target group-oriented participation: Children and young people must be systematically and age-appropriately involved in the development and implementation of climate adaptation concepts.
• Everyday spaces as places for participation: Daycare centers, schools, playgrounds and neighborhoods should not only be used as critical infrastructures, but actively as places for participation and empowerment.
• Anchoring education: Curricula must include target-group-oriented materials on climate impacts and adaptation options - based on United Nations General Comment No. 26.
• Comprehensive protection: Children and young people must be protected from all health risks and social disadvantages caused by the consequences of climate change.

Background: Why now?

We have experienced the second hottest summer since records began in 1881. In 2023, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child clarified in General Comment No. 26 that every child has the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. States are obligated to consider this right in environmental and climate policies—including climate adaptation. At the same time, the health risks for children due to heat are demonstrably increasing. Studies show increases in anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and concentration problems during heat waves.

Terre des Hommes has commissioned the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues to examine existing climate adaptation plans to determine whether they take children's rights and participation into account. The results will be published during Climate Adaptation Week, just in time for the crucial implementation phase of the Climate Adaptation Act.

Further information

The full study, including a summary, can be found here.

Further information will be provided upon request.