Exploring COP28 UAE Resolutions: Child Participation and Protection

A Case Study from England and Wales

Authors

Keywords:

cliimate change, procedural justice, children, COP28UAE, eco-distress

Abstract

This study examines the implementation of COP28UAE's commitment to child participation in climate and biodiversity strategies by Safeguarding Children Partnerships (SCPs) in England and Wales. Employing a mixed methods approach, a document review of the strategic plans of SCPs (N=140) revealed that none had identified the impact of climate change as a child protection priority; online survey responses suggested an awareness of COP28UAE resolutions, but their implementation was seen as the responsibility of other agencies. The hypothesis suggested is that eco-distress affects children's mental health and that participation in climate change debates provides them with agency and coping strategies. In addition, applying procedural justice principles and involving children’s participation enhances institutional legitimacy. However, SCPs are yet to adopt the impacts of climate change as child protection risk factors and face challenges in balancing immediate risks to children with future climate threats. In doing so, SCPs potentially miss opportunities to legitimize themselves by not fully embracing child participation.

Author Biographies

  • Jacqueline Sebire, University of Cambridge

    Dr Sebire is a senior policing executive, academic practitioner, and global advisor with over 30 years’ leadership experience across UK policing, international policing education, and public-sector transformation. Former Assistant Chief Constable with strategic oversight of major crime, specialist operations, firearms, serious violence reduction, and inter-agency governance. Assistant Professor at Rabdan Academy and Affiliated Lecturer at the University of Cambridge.  Co-Founder of Thinking Blue Line consultancy, delivering evidence-based policing, leadership development, capability building, and systems-level change for police organisations globally.

  • Lydia Davenport, University of Edinburgh

    Lydia Davenport is an experienced Senior Police Officer, child safeguarding specialist and international capacity building, with a variety of experience in the law enforcement industry. She is currently a Technical Advisory Program Manager for Childlight Global Child Safety Institute. She retains s strong focus on child protection, investigation, intelligence, risk management and international police reform support and development programmes.Previous secondment roles with the National Crime Agency working alongside FCDO and the UK Home Office International Team. Previous role as Operations Lead in Overseas Territories Safeguarding programme developing law enforcement and Senior Police Advisor with the Home Office.

References

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Published

2026-04-27

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026): Salus Journal - Law Enforcement, National Security and Emergency Management

Section

Research Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Jacqueline Sebire, Lydia Davenport

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors retain copyright in their articles and grant SALUS the right of first publication. The work is simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as appropriate credit is given to the author(s) and the journal, a link to the license is provided, and any changes made are indicated.

How to Cite

Exploring COP28 UAE Resolutions: Child Participation and Protection: A Case Study from England and Wales. (2026). Salus Journal, 14(1), 55-71. https://journals.csu.domains/index.php/salusjournal/article/view/258