New studies reveal impact of climate change on kids, pregnant women in Indian cities

The first study, ‘Study on Young Children and Climate (SYCC)’, was spearheaded by International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) South Asia along with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Roorkee. Funded by the Van Leer Foundation, it gathered extensive primary data from Delhi, Gandhinagar, Kharagpur and Roorkee and reviewed existing secondary data.

“The study assessed urban heat island effect and forecast the future implications of climate change on these vulnerable groups,” said Emani Kumar, executive director, ICLEI South Asia.

The second study, conducted by ICLEI South Asia and Ipsos Research Pvt Ltd – also funded by the Van Leer Foundation – analysed the use of public spaces by young children, their caregivers, and pregnant women across 18 Indian cities.

Employing household surveys and interviews with city officials, it explored trends in public space utilisation, identifying key barriers and opportunities. The findings, aimed at guiding policymakers, emphasise the need for child-friendly, accessible urban environments, and are set to be widely disseminated to inform future urban planning decisions. “The study’s outcome is set to significantly influence policy decisions, emphasising the need for public spaces that are child-friendly and accommodate the needs of caregivers and pregnant women,” added Kumar.

The findings were presented at a workshop held recently in New Delhi. The day-long event brought together experts, policymakers, and community representatives to discuss findings from two significant studies, “to elucidate the pressing issue of climate change and its impact on these vulnerable groups”.