Climate Justice

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.