Towards a Child-Based Approach to Climate Change Impacts and Loss within the African Human Rights Framework

The climate-related loss and damage (L&D) issue has regained international prominence in recent years in global climate policies. At COP 27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, a significant agreement was reached on L&D, however, several critical aspects remain unclear, including compensation, liability and governance. Likewise, how the specific vulnerabilities of children will be addressed within the proposed L&D framework in regional and international climate change discourse has not been provided. This article examines how the African human rights system (AHRS) applies a child rights-based approach to enhance children's protection. Using a doctrinal approach, this study investigated the effects of climate change on African children and its unique vulnerabilities across the continent. It evaluates the challenges and opportunities associated with governance, financial support, documentation, and the implementation of L&D mechanisms, questioning the role of states in designing and executing these strategies. The study concludes that adopting a child rights-based approach to L&D is crucial and urgent for fostering a resilient climate for African children.