Advocating for Disability Inclusion in Climate Discussions

As the global community gears up for COP28, the imperative of inclusive climate action has never been more urgent. On 15th November 2023, Dhaka hosted an Expert Consultation on Thematic Programs of COP28, bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders to discuss critical themes such as adaptation, climate finance, loss and damage, and more. Among the voices contributing to this vital discourse was Syed Sabbir Hasan, Advocacy and Documentation Officer at the Centre for Disability in Development (CDD), who highlighted the often-overlooked intersection of climate change and disability.

Bangladesh, one of the nations most vulnerable to climate change, has seen a rise in the frequency and intensity of climate-induced natural disasters. These events not only cause widespread devastation but also contribute to the growing number of disabilities in the country. Sabbir drew attention to sobering statistics from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), revealing that between 2015 and 2022, over 172,000 people were injured due to these disasters, with at least 10,000 individuals acquiring disabilities as a direct consequence.

Sabbir’s address underscored the necessity of viewing disability as an integral part of the broader community, particularly in the context of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. He argued that inclusive approaches in development initiatives are essential to empower and protect persons with disabilities, who are often disproportionately affected by environmental crises.

CDD’s work, as explained by Sabbir, focuses on enhancing the resilience and livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities through targeted adaptation measures. These efforts are crucial for enabling disabled individuals to withstand and recover from the impacts of climate-induced disasters, thus promoting their overall empowerment.

As COP28 approaches, it is imperative that global climate discussions incorporate the needs and perspectives of persons with disabilities. The insights shared by Sabbir and other advocates for disability inclusion highlight a critical gap in the current climate discourse—one that must be addressed to ensure that climate action is truly comprehensive and equitable.

For more detailed insights and recommendations from this important consultation, the full proceedings are available for download in the document titled “The Road to Dubai: Expert Consultation on Thematic Programs of COP28 Event Proceedings.” Click the button below to access the full proceeding.