Charity launches climate adaptation initiative

The initiative called ‘Carbon Positive’ is modeled on carbon offsetting, whereby companies or individuals reduce their carbon footprint by investing in greenhouse gas emission reduction projects, usually in developing countries. In this case, though, UNICEF UK is inviting businesses and individuals to tackle the size of their carbon footprint by investing in projects that directly help children adapt to climate change, whether it be disaster risk reduction, water, education, health or nutrition.

Via a new website, UNICEF UK has developed a carbon calculator and has come up with a suggested investment amount of £10 per carbon tonne for businesses and individuals wishing to invest in one of its projects. The website also offers users tips and advice on how to reduce their carbon emissions and become more climate positive.

Projects companies can invest in include a climate adaptation programme for 340,0000 people living in flood prone Bangladesh, provision of rainwater harvesting in three of the most drought prone districts in Mozambique, and a food supply project for malnourished children in Burundi.

In 2008 UNICEF highlighted how children were being affected by the impacts of environmental change through a report – ‘Our Climate, Our Children, Our Responsibility’ and its Carbon Positive initiative aims to get businesses and individuals to make the link between their own actions and the effect climate change is already having on children in vulnerable communities around the world.

“It’s indisputable that climate change is already having a devastating affect on children’s lives, preventing them from fulfilling their right to a safe and happy childhood,” commented UNICEF UK executive director David Bull. “I am hugely excited that we are able to offer the public a new way to take responsibility for their contribution to our changing planet and help invest in a positive future for the world’s children.”

UNICEF works for children and their rights in more than 190 countries. It is a member of a consortium of climate and development organisations and experts developing a standard and certification scheme for excellence in adaptation, called AdMit.