Presentation of the findings of the report “Climate Landscape Analysis for Children in Greece”

As part of the project titled “Assessment of Climate Change and Environmental Degradation on Children in Greece” supported by UNICEF, the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) and UNICEF organised a launch event to present the findings of the report “Climate Landscape Analysis for Children in Greece”

During the launch event, young people, professionals from the research and education sector commented on the findings and shared concrete actions for further building the resilience to climate crisis and environmental degradation. This research highlights the severe impacts of climate change on children and lays the groundwork for a more comprehensive institutional framework in Greece.

More specifically, Dr George Dikaios, Senior Researcher of the Programme, and Sokratis Vlahakis, UNICEF’s Programme Officer for Climate and Environment, presented the research findings. Following this, a roundtable discussion took place in which Dr Fay Makandasis, Director of Research at diaNEOSis, Persefoni Kerentzis, Research Fellow of the Programme, and UNICEF Youth representatives, Anthi Gioti and Marios Arabatzis, participated.

Finally, during the opening and closing remarks, the Director General of ELIAMEP, Ms Gavouneli, emphasized: “The role of think tanks, as ELIAMEP, is to provide the necessary tools and justification to decision-makers. This particular report constitutes ground work and has reached substantial conclusions which will be given to UNICEF, a critical ​​decision-making body.” In parallel, UNICEF’s Deputy Representative in Greece, Ms Plakantonaki, stressed: “Climate change is not only changing our planet, it is also changing our children. Their voices are incredibly important to drive progress to protect their rights, but also to ensure that their voices are heard and acted upon.”

Read the full report here in pdf.

MEDIA REPORTS ON THE RESEARCH

The research findings received extensive media coverage across Greece with numerous analyses and highlights underscoring the urgent need for actions that protect children from the impacts of the climate crisis.

TOVIMA: Greece’s Children at Severe Risk From Impact of Climate Change

Kathimerini (in Greek): How climate change affects children’s well-being

In.gr (in Greek): Climate change: More than 300,000 children are at risk in Greece

REPORTER (in Greek): UNICEF and ELIAMEP: Worrying effects of climate change on children