August 18, 2025 – Global Alliance – Cities4Children published a research–into–action brief that explores how the climate crisis is reshaping the lives of an estimated 500 million children and young people growing up in slums and informal settlements.
This brief begins by summarizing the impacts of climate change on children in slums worldwide. Throughout the brief, lived experiences of children, caregivers and community leaders in one informal settlement in Port Harcourt, Nigeria provide grounded insights to complement the global research. The brief also features a set of project spotlights that offer inspiration for addressing climate challenges in informal settlements through child-centered and child-responsive approaches. These five “Ideas for Action” examples highlight key innovations, driving forces, and the actors behind them, providing models that other communities and organizations can adapt and scale.
The brief concludes with practical recommendations for governments, NGOs, and the private sector to strengthen urban climate resilience with and for children. These include sustainable and inclusive urban planning, climate-resilient housing and services, safe spaces for play and learning, and child-responsive disaster preparedness.