Climate change is under way faster than ever according to the recently published Indicators of Global Climate Change 2023. The effects of climate change on persons with disabilities is well documented by now. Persons with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by climate change, which exacerbates the preexisting inequalities of our ableist societies. Climate change effects are even more severe for persons with disabilities experiencing intersectional discrimination.
In this context, understanding how national climate policies include the rights, requirements and voices of persons with disabilities in Europe and Central Asia is a foundation for future advocacy. Incorporating disability inclusion will enhance climate action and promote sustainable resilience across society as a whole. When disability inclusion takes precedence, systems and processes become more efficient and effective for everyone, not just for persons with disabilities.
Key findings
Overall, the cross-referencing in legislation and foreseen initiatives regarding disability-inclusive climate action is poor in the 13 countries reviewed.
In regards to disability, climate change and DRR/DRM cross-referencing in national legislation, DRR/DRM is much more cross-referenced between disability and/or DRR/DRM national legislation, over climate change. Climate change legislation poorly addresses persons with disabilities, and disability legislation overlooks climate action completely.
In regards to disability in climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives, the situation is poor as well. 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.
In regards to transversal aspects, the situation is as poor as previously documented:
- Gender and women with disabilities: There are no references to the intersectional risks and combined effects of climate change that girls and women with disabilities will face. Their specific situation is not even acknowledged.
- Data: Only 3 countries out of 13 reported collecting data on disability, climate change and/or DRR/DRM (Albania, Lithuania and Switzerland).
- Participation: Persons with disabilities and their representative organisations are consulted to some extent in Lithuania and Sweden only.
- Budget: No specific budget lines targeting disability-inclusive climate change has been reported on, except for Lithuania’s national budget providing funding for disability-inclusive DRR and DRM, including training for humanitarian workers and improving information accessibility.
- International cooperation: 8 countries out of 13 reported that disability in relation to DRR/DRM and/or climate action is included in international cooperation aid (Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Slovenia, Sweden and Ukraine). The expectations placed on the Global South are significantly higher than what countries in the WHO Europe Region are meeting themselves.
These findings are coherent with those of the Global Action on Disability (GLAD) Network survey and CBM report on the Assessment of Disability Inclusion in National Climate, Humanitarian, and Disaster Risk Reduction Plans.
Conclusively, persons with disabilities and their representative organisations are not consulted, hence their situations, requirements and voices not taken into account at all across climate action. Without any legislative or policy framework embedding the rights to persons with disabilities in climate change, no programmes are implemented or budget allocated. In the field of international cooperation, attention to DRR/DRM and climate adaptation and mitigation seem to be somewhat existing. The real impact would need to be evaluated.
- EDF Report_ Mapping Disability Inclusive Climate Action in Europe (Word)
- EDF Report_Mapping Disability Inclusive Climate Action in Europe_Executive Summary (Word)