Climate change
Context
Disability Rights UK is the UK’s leading organisation led by, run by, and working for Disabled people. We work with Disabled People’s Organisations to influence regional and national change for improved rights, incomes, services, and quality of life for Disabled people.
Disability Rights UK is leading a coalition of global Disability Climate activists to respond to the climate crisis. The Coalition sent a statement of intent to COP27 held in November 2022 and will continue to raise the voice and profile of Disabled people in climate change discussions and solutions.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there are more than 1 billion disabled people in the world. Disabled people will experience the impact of global warming more than other groups, yet we currently have no visible input into discussions and solutions.
Evidence
Disabled people are frequently unable to leave their homes and reach safety, in the event of evacuation due to extreme weather, leading to the loss of many lives. Disabled people are twice as likely as any other group to die in disasters.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a catastrophe for Disabled people, showing how pandemics can rip through a community. Two out of every three victims of Covid-19 were Disabled people. History shows that pandemics strike Disabled individuals harder than anyone else due to long term health conditions, weakened immune systems, unequal access to health care, inadequate incomes and support, barriers to accessing food, transport and services and inaccessible communications.
Electric vehicles are becoming the cars of choice and over the next decade will be the only type of car that can be purchased. This raises issues of affordability and accessibility. Cars are being banned from streets, to minimise air pollution, resulting in some city centres becoming no-go areas for some Disabled citizens. Charging points for electric vehicles are being built that are unusable by Disabled drivers and create obstacles for Disabled pedestrians.
Environmental illnesses of many kinds are on the rise. Environmental pollution, such as air pollution is a major cause of ill health: creating childhood disability, impairing children's health, diminshing their capacity to learn and reducing their life chances. Climate change is increasing the numbers of Disabled people.
Disabled populations will most likely have limited access to knowledge, resources, and services to effectively respond to environmental change.
Disabled people are currently excluded from discussions and solutions on climate change, meaning that laws, policies, and programmes don’t consider the needs of Disabled people or the impact of proposed change. This is referred to as “Eco-ableism”.
Disabled people are hardest hit by a changing climate. To address this issue a series of policies are being proposed.
Policy asks - DR UK/Climate coalition
1. Disabled people must be involved in all debates and in shaping solutions, beginning with our full participation in all future international events including COP.
2. Disabled representatives must be at the table when environmental solutions are developed and plans implemented, to ensure that societal barriers to inclusion are reduced not increased.
3. The needs of Disabled people must be addressed in climate change discussions and environmental solutions must be designed to be accessible for us all.
4. All COP, political and climate events must be designed to be accessible to Disabled participants and the wider Disabled community, considering all aspects of accessibility including sign language interpreting, accessible information and communication, and physical access for wheelchair users and others with mobility and sensory impairments. There should be options to join debates virtually.
5. Cop and other climate events and strategies should have a specific focus on excluded communities / all future conferences should include specific programme content addressing the needs of excluded communities.
6. Work to meet Sustainable Development Goals must address inclusive environmental planning.
Targeted decision makers
The Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary.
The Rt Hon Edward Miliband MP Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary.
Conference of the Parties COP29 UN Climate Change Conference Baku - November 2024 | UNFCCC
United Nations climate entity tasked with supporting the global response to the threat of climate change. UNFCCC stands for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. UNFCCC
Campaign action
Working with NPC and Re-engage on a long-term project reviewing the evidence for the impacts of both the climate and nature crises, and environmental policy, upon older people and Disabled people. Briefing report published in 2023 Everyones environment. Collaborative work continuing in 2024.
Liased with Greenpeace on essential plastics for Disabled people that must be exempt from any global ban in the Global Plastics Treaty.
Currently commentating on, and liasing with the World Health Organisation on the WHO Global Plan of Action on Climate change and Health.
Covering letter signed by DR UK climate group members sent with climate statement to COP27 and COP28.
Corresponding climate statement sent to COP27 and COP28
Statement sent prior to our meeting with the UN on the Day of General Discussion on persons with disabilities in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies
Current involvement with Marion Steff, PhD International Cooperation Manager European Disability Forum
Current collaboration beginning with Friends of the Earth
