Healthy, resilient children and families are the foundation of healthy, resilient communities.
At Capita, we work with policymakers, funders, mayors, chief heat officers, and other leaders to integrate young children and families into climate action plans, policies, and finance worldwide, particularly in cities.
The effects of climate disruption profoundly impact the health—mental and physical—and flourishing of young children (from birth to 8 years old), making them one of the most affected groups across society. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 90% of the disease burden associated with climate change is borne by children under five.
Every structure in our society that serves families and children needs to be reimagined in this new context, from health and human services and education to infrastructure and urban design.
Looking ahead to the next 50 years, 65% of the infrastructure for the world’s largest cities is yet to be built. That’s a unique opportunity to prioritize child-friendly, climate-resilient urban development. This addresses climate challenges and can help create a more just, adaptive, and resilient society for all.
Capita’s work currently focuses on several key areas:
- Cities and countries around the globe can center children and families in their climate adaptation plans and strategies. We helped create the first-ever U.S. Early Year Climate Action Plan. In June 2024, Capita and the DO MORE Foundation launched the South Africa Early Years Climate Alliance.
- Child- and Family-Smart Climate Policies and Finance: Leveraging climate adaptation finance to support policies and programs that build resilience in the earliest years of life is a cost-effective investment in the long-term adaptive capacity of communities and societies.
- Health and Heat: Many cities and countries are already implementing adaptation plans to protect their residents from the ravages of heat. Children and pregnant women must be integral to those adaptation solutions. We are working with policymakers, chief heat officers, and other leaders to address the impacts of heat on families.
Why climate change matters for young children
Ensuring child-centered action on climate change will create cleaner air and water, more green space and shade, healthier buildings, communities better prepared for extreme weather events, and much more: all benefits that ripple out far beyond the individual child and family.
