How disability inclusive are climate action policies and plans in European and Central Asian countries? This is the question we have started to answer with our newest report “Mapping Disability Inclusive Climate Action in Europe”. 

Climate change legislation poorly addresses persons with disabilities, and disability legislation overlooks climate action completely. Except for a couple of generic provisions in Slovenia and Sweden, no countries have specific disability-inclusive climate action initiatives in the field of accessible infrastructures, accessible public transportation, work, livelihoods, education and skills acquisition, and social protection. Almost all countries overlook disability inclusion in climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. When such initiatives are taken (Slovenia, Sweden), they target accessibility of public transportation only.  

These findings serve as a foundation for our future advocacy. We will measure progress in the coming years and see if climate action policies and plans have become more disability inclusive. Please read our report below and find inspiring tools and best practices in our toolkit. Please send us information on how disability inclusive climate action policies are in your country. 

• 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) 

The EU launched its “Green Deal” in 2020 and has been implementing different initiatives under the strategy such as the “Renovation Wave”, or the Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy, all of which directly affect persons with disabilities. Under these initiatives, the following ones have been most relevant from a disability perspective: 

• Revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 

• Revision of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive 

• The Just Transition Fund and the Social Climate Fund