Disability and the Climate Crisis
Disability inclusive climate action at CBM UK
People with disabilities, especially those living in poverty, are among those hardest hit by climate change.
There has already been an increase in the frequency and severity of humanitarian crises like floods, hurricanes and droughts due to climate change. People with disabilities are more likely to live in areas prone to disasters because they are more likely to be poor. They are four times more likely than those without disabilities to lose their lives as a result of natural disasters. The greatest threat and burden of climate change will fall on the world’s poorest people – who have done the least to cause it.
Urgent action is needed to respond to this global crisis and people with disabilities must be meaningfully included.
People with disabilities and their representative organisations must be fully included in responses to climate change, from needs identification and programme design to evaluation. As experts in understanding their context and identifying their needs and capabilities, they have a valuable role to play in building innovative solutions. A fully inclusive approach also ensures other marginalised groups will not be left out - it benefits everyone.
Inclusive Climate Action Publications
CBM UK at COP27
In November 2022, CBM UK and CBM Global brought Inclusive Climate Action conversations to COP27, the 27th annual United Nations “Conference of the Parties” meeting on climate. With our partners, we worked to influence negotiations and join the wider civil society discussion to promote and offer practical suggestions for how climate adaptation, loss and damage and resilience can be more inclusive.
- Watch a recording of our COP27 side event with the International Disability Alliance, European Disability Forum, McgGill University, Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre and Sustain our Abilities: “From Exclusion to Leadership: People with Disabilities Develop an Agenda for Inclusive Climate Action” (youtube, opens in new tab).
- Read CBM Global’s publication, launched at COP27, sharing the experiences of people with disabilities affected by the climate crisis in Madagascar and Bangladesh, and exploring how they are involved in responding to it: Missing in Climate Action: Stories of persons with disabilities from the Global South.
Read more about progress on disability inclusion and climate justice at COP27 - and the significant challenges ahead – in our blog: Why is disability still waiting for real progress on inclusive climate action? Five takeaways from COP27.
