One Billion Missing: the imperative for Disability Inclusive Climate Adaptation and Mitigation
On Saturday, June 11, 2022, CBM Global, the International Disability Alliance, the Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism, and Mc Gill University organised a side event during the SB56 Climate Conference in Bonn. They were joined by DRC's Sylvain Obedi (young climate activist with a disability), Gretchelle Dilán (disability rights advocate from Puerto Rico), and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights' Benjamin Schachter. Jamie Williams, Senior Policy Advisor at Islamic Relief, moderated the discussion.
The following are some of the highlights from the panel:
Pallab Regmi, a humanitarian coordinator with CBM Global Nepal's country team, outlined how the country's socio-economic structure, particularly agriculture, is reliant on weather patterns that have existed for thousands of years. The development of culture and livelihood practises is dependent on a long history of consistent weather patterns. He made the following observation:
“Our culture and livelihoods are being destroyed every year. Therefore, I have a question for all of us, when monsoon get angry who do you think the most impacted one will be? Are they the emitters? Or the people who rely on nature for subsistence livelihood?
CBM Global, the International Disability Alliance, the Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism, and Mc Gill University organised a side event during the SB56 Climate Conference in Bonn. Copyright/CBM
Pallab shared with the audience a case study of CBM Global’s work in the flood-prone area of Melamchi in the district of Sindhupalchowk.
Elham Youssefian, Inclusive Humanitarian Action and Disaster Risk Reduction Advisor with the International Disability Alliance, presented on a report published by IDA and the Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism, Mc Gill University on #DisabilityInclusion in National #Climate Commitments and Policies. The report demonstrates that governments are far from complying with their duties to pursue disability-inclusive climate action.
Read more: https://bit.ly/3aP5QT7
Elham commented on the importance of consultation;
“Without prior consideration of rights and requirements of persons with disabilities, even well-intentioned policies to reduce carbon emissions can lead to a violation of disability rights”
The relevance of young people with disabilities in climate action was underlined by Sylvain Obedi of Enable the Disable Action from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“ Young disabled lead actions cause we want to be part of the solution not wait, we have a very important role to play in the mitigation of the effects of climate change, that's it, as actors, let's ask for our place on the table with a deliberate voice not as a simple spectator”
The panel concluded with a call to action; ‘‘Nothing without us, ever’’ - climate adaptation or mitigation policy should include persons with disabilities.