Children on the move: Climate migration and ecocide in Africa

Historically, ecological destruction has often been an unintended byproduct of human activity. However, the accelerating impacts of climate change – driven by industrialisation, deforestation and the unchecked use of fossil fuels – have exponentially escalated harm to ecosystems. In contemporary times, the effects of climate change on the environment are increasingly severe. The term ‘ecocide’ has emerged to describe the systematic degradation of the natural world, with far-reaching consequences, and it is linked to migration. However, its intersection with climate migration is undeveloped. Also, in that context, while all displaced populations face severe challenges, children are uniquely vulnerable due to their developmental needs, limited capacity to adapt and dependence on stable social structures. Children face heightened health risks, educational disruption, exploitation and psychosocial stress. Yet, in the current international legal regime, there is a notable gap in the protection specifically addressing the displacement of children. This article examines the nexus between ecocide and the climate migration of children, proposing actionable legal reforms to bridge existing gaps in Africa.