SECTORS

Climate change and the environment

The impacts of climate change and environmental degradation disproportionately affect people with disabilities, exacerbating existing risks and creating new challenges as a result of a changing environment. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and pollution can significantly impact the health of people with disabilities, who may have pre-existing health conditions or mobility limitations.

Moreover, inaccessible infrastructure and inadequate support systems can hinder their ability to adapt to a changing environment and participate in sustainable agricultural practices. For example, the effects of diminished soil fertility or the need to relocate due to climate displacement impacts people with disabilities more significantly due to the increased distances and additional time required to access the relocated area, as well as physical accessibility challenges.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), particularly Article 9 (accessibility) and Article 28 (an adequate standard of living and social protection) highlight the importance of environmental accessibility and the rights of people with disabilities to live in safe and sustainable communities. It is important that climate action and environmental policies are inclusive, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to information, resources, and opportunities to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, as they experience heightened climate risks.

Resources in this section and the relevant sub-sections include evidence and guidance to understand how to address the heightened climate risks experienced by people with disabilities, and how to make climate and environmental programs more inclusive.