World Vision Hungry Futures Index

Child hunger is the looming shadow of the climate crisis – World Vision

• World Vision’s Hungry Futures Index reveals failings to address hunger and nutrition alongside climate change
• Governments must prioritise the global commitments made for child rights and climate action, rather than cutting valuable aid
• COP30 this month sees governments tackle climate conversations

10 November 2025 – International children’s charity World Vision is emphasising the need to consider child hunger when discussing climate change and associated crises, as the Congress of the Parties (COP30) event in Brazil kicks off.

In fact, new analysis from World Vision – the Hungry Futures Index — warns that governments are failing to include child hunger and malnutrition in their national climate strategies, putting millions of children at risk in an increasingly warming world.

The Index analyses 84 climate plans to assess how well governments are addressing hunger and nutrition in the context of the climate crisis, and four-fifths of countries were found to be failing. Less than 20% of countries mention child hunger in their plans, and even fewer mention child malnutrition or budget to address the impacts.

Almost one-third of the world’s population — 2.6 billion people — still cannot afford a healthy diet, and this number is projected to grow as the planet continues to warm. Without bold action, hunger and malnutrition could increase by 20% by 2050 due to climate change.

Also, despite the Paris Agreement recognising children as “agents of change”, only 58% of climate plans (49 in total) reference children’s participation in climate decision-making. Just two countries — Chad and Cambodia — make a full commitment to child participation.

“When children are invisible in data, budgets, and strategies, they are invisible in the solutions that shape their lives. Policies that fail to track how resources reach girls and boys are failing the very generation most affected by the climate crisis,” said Kate Shaw, Senior Advisor at World Vision International. “We are entering an age of hungry futures. Children are on the frontlines of climate change, yet their needs and voices are almost invisible in the world’s climate blueprints. COP30 in Brazil must be a turning point. Children cannot be an afterthought in climate policy — they must be at the heart of it.”

World Vision’s Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration, or FMNR, is a key part of the fight against the effects of climate change, and is actively contributing to the global restoration goal to restore one billion hectares of degraded land by 2033. Land degradation, both a symptom and cause of climate change, further perpetuates the cycle of poverty for children and families.

A significant portion of the estimated 3.8 billion hectares of degraded agricultural land was cleared using methods that left tree roots in the ground. These complex root systems, hidden underground, have the potential to rapidly regenerate, restore degraded land, and heal the environment.

While World Vision continues important work in supporting those affected by climate crises, the charity is also urging the UK government – and all world governments – to support the full realisation of the global commitments made for child rights and climate action.

This call comes in a year where the government announced major cuts to Official Development Assistance (ODA) — now at a 25-year low of 0.3% of GNI – which will impact many of those already affected by climate crises, including by hunger and malnutrition.

Above all else, children need to be considered at all levels of decision making, especially when it comes to climate change.

For more information, case studies, assets, and interviews, please contact

Sam Bishop: sam.bishop@worldvision.org.uk

Spokespeople available for interviews.

Editors Notes:

The Hungry Futures Index, launched today by World Vision, analyses 84 climate plans (Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans) to assess how well governments are addressing hunger and nutrition in the context of the climate crisis.

At World Vision, our focus is on helping the world’s most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. For 75 years, we have worked together with communities – of all faiths and none – even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith. Thanks to our supporters globally, we work in almost 100 countries and have changed the lives of over 200 million children in the past five years alone.

When you give to World Vision, you know your donations will be well spent, for the greatest impact. We always work alongside communities, with a focus on the most vulnerable children and families helping them overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. So, you know your donations will go to the children in greatest need.

For further information on World Vision UK, check out World Vision UK’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

For further information on cuts to aid, read: $163 Billion Wiped from Children’s Futures as Global Aid Plummets – World Vision Warns