It is widely recognised that the 2024 UN Climate Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29) was a failure regarding finance for developing countries. But that is not all: the outcome documents also continue to exclude the needs of persons with disabilities, meaning that guidance for governments and other organisations to fight the climate crisis will remain ineffective.
While the event in Baku had the largest attendance of persons with disabilities to date, our main request – that the UN climate agency (UNFCCC) recognise an official Disability Constituency – was denied. It was denied despite a public pressure campaign, including an open letter from the global disability community and an official statement from the body of independent experts which monitors the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
This lack of equal representation is reducing the involvement of persons with disabilities in negotiations and our access to funding. It sends the message that the disability community does not exist in this space.
That is why the Disability Caucus (the informal group representing the disability movement at the Conference) will continue to demand the creation of the Constituency. Climate action will only be inclusive of everyone when everyone has a voice in decision-making.
What happened at COP – key highlights
Policy Impact – While COP29 outcome texts are weak on human rights in general, the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance and the Global Goal on Adaptation include references to persons with disabilities.
Growth of Disability Caucus – The unofficial Disability Caucus now consists of more than 60 organisations representing hundreds of groups globally, approximately half of which are organisations of persons with disabilities. Daily meetings in Baku involved more than 40 people from 23 countries, 17 of these from the Global South.
Events and engagement – The Caucus made a high-level statement and was invited by civil society to speak as a formal constituency during key actions such as the People’s Plenary. Disability was a main topic in several side events (including collaboration with Amnesty International, CAN Europe, CAN Latin America, CBM UK, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung and Human Rights Watch).
Accessibility – From June 2024, the Disability Caucus worked with the COP Presidency to improve the accessibility of the event. There has been progress here, with good physical access and some provision of sign interpretation. However, major gaps remain. Much of the disability community continues to be excluded, especially through a lack of access to information.
What is next?
The disability caucus will continue its work to influence climate policy in 2025. Priorities include:
- Leadership, resourcing and training of organisations of persons with disabilities in climate action, especially those in low-income countries.
- Continued production of evidence on the impact of climate change on persons with disabilities.
- Identifying funding to support these activities.
The climate crisis continues to impact persons with disabilities more than most. The 2025 UN Climate Summit in Brazil (COP30) is starting to be known as the ‘Justice COP’, which will mean ensuring climate justice for all. Our full engagement in providing inclusive and effective solutions is not only a legal and moral obligation, but it is also an absolute necessity.
EDF thanks Global Greengrants Fund for financial support to participate at COP29.
Useful resources
We published a report and toolkit on how disability inclusive climate action policies and plans are in Europe. In summary, climate change legislation addresses persons with disabilities poorly or not at all, and disability legislation overlooks climate action completely.
- EDF Report_ Mapping Disability Inclusive Climate Action in Europe (Word)
- EDF Report_Mapping Disability Inclusive Climate Action in Europe_Executive Summary (Word)
- EDF Toolkit_Disability Inclusive Climate Action (Word)
Banner photo: Members of the Disability Caucus after one of their daily meetings