Human rights and climate change: Conceptualising a children’s rights-based approach to the climate crisis in Africa

This article offers a conceptual argument for a children’s rights-based approach to climate change in Africa. While recent advocacy efforts have raised awareness of the impact of climate change on children and the need for child-sensitive responses, the philosophical basis of these approaches is not always clearly articulated. Furthermore, existing frameworks often overlook the influence of African environmental ethics and the specific position of children in that context. The article criticises the dominance of anthropocentrism in Western environmental philosophy, which prioritises human interests and justifies exploiting nature, a perspective that marginalises non-human entities and fails to adequately address children’s particular vulnerabilities. The article draws on African environmental philosophy, especially, anthropoholism and suggests an integrated framework that combines children’s rights, African ethics and non-anthropocentric models. It demonstrates that emphasising children’s rights within African ethical paradigms can bridge the divide between environmental law and human rights. The approach may offer a foundation for climate action in Africa that is inclusive and equitable, acknowledging both the vulnerability and agency of children, the value of the environment, and the importance of culturally grounded responses to the climate crisis.