CBM UK at COP29: Partnering for Disability Inclusive Climate Justice

CBM works in many countries which are at the forefront of the climate crisis. The impact of climate crisis is felt disproportionately by people with disabilities, but they are still routinely excluded from decision-making processes and actions addressing climate change at local, national and international levels. 

CBM UK has been an accredited observer of COP since 2021. This year we are at COP29 in Azerbaijan, amplifying voices of people with disabilities and advocating for disability inclusive climate justice.  

In particular this year we are seeking to ensure that people with disabilities have a permanent seat at the negotiating table by calling for the creation of an official disability constituency within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 

The creation of a disability constituency will give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in United Nations climate negotiations, recognising their expertise in understanding their own context and identifying their needs. Although official constituencies exist for other specific groups affected by the climate crisis, people with disabilities are yet to be recognised by the United Nations in the same way. 

Mark Barrell, CBM UK Director of Advocacy and Influencing, who is attending COP29, says: 

“There is an urgent need for people with disabilities to bring their perspectives and experience to climate policies, and a clear call by the disability movement to be formally recognised at COP29. Alongside our partners, we hope to engage the UK Government and others to promote inclusive climate policies at the international, national, and regional levels which involve people with disabilities and their representative organisations.” 

CBM UK will be taking part in two side events in Baku:

• “Inclusive Climate Justice For All” together with SCIAF. This event at the faith pavilion will focus on our work as part of the Scottish Government funded Climate Just Communities initiative. (Click here to watch)

• “An Open Circle – Inclusively Designing and Financing NDCs: Perspectives from Latin America and Europe” with CAN Europe, CAN Latin America, International Disability Alliance, and CBM Ireland. 

Together with our partners, we hope to work towards a truly disability inclusive climate justice which will enable whole communities to grow in resilience.