Avenues for disability inclusion in climate and biodiversity action

This study maps the opportunities to advance disability inclusion in climate and biodiversity action. International policy frameworks oblige states to mainstream disability inclusion into development and human rights issues, yet climate and biodiversity governance has traditionally followed independent tracks. Based on a policy and literature review and key informant interviews (N=46), the findings show that specific references to disability are missing in policies, strategies and action plans, and recognition for persons with disabilities as agents of change is limited. Budget allocation for disability inclusion also remains low across the studied key stakeholders. Additionally, inaccessibility of negotiation processes, lack of official mechanisms, and necessary capacity to negotiate with other climate and biodiversity stakeholders hinder disability inclusion in climate and biodiversity action. The analysis shows that transformative changes can be enacted through four leverage points: strengthening the institutional presence of organisations of persons with disabilities in the negotiations; mainstreaming disability inclusion as a human rights issue; developing mechanisms for disability inclusion and creating systems of accountability; and integrating disability inclusion into national plans guiding climate and biodiversity action. Publication was updated on 11 April 2024, p. 17, 22, 26, 37, 39, 41, 58.