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DHUB insights: Non-inclusive policies in climate action
06 Jul 2022

According to the latest article by Disability Inclusive Climate Action Research Program of McGill University (Canada) and International Disability Alliance, states that people with disabilities are not being considered in the climate action plans in the different States. In the face of growing concern to address the climate crisis, only 35 out of 192 countries refer to disability in their climate commitments. Studies show that within the possible solutions that are being proposed, people with disabilities are being left behind.

It is important to highlight the strong impact that extreme weather conditions have on people with disabilities, since they are especially exposed. For example, people with disabilities are especially sensitive to heat waves. Precisely, from DHUB we want to show that the few countries that are generating adaptation policies for people with disabilities in terms of dealing with the climate emergency cannot be overlooked. An example of this is that most climate commitments ignore the vulnerability of people with disabilities in times of emergency.

Many countries base their climate strategies and action plans on sustainable transport, smart cities and green spaces, but few governments mention them in their routes to reduce their emissions. Only 35 of 192 countries do firmly address climate adaptation and disability. In addition, according to the report, it highlights that only 45 countries talk about people with disabilities in any adaptation program. This report only underlines the need to deepen strong accessibility measures as climate action plans. For example: what happens when these climatic events affect a vulnerable population that the administrations themselves do not protect?