IDDC Endorsement of Disability Caucus COP30 Briefing Paper
Climate change affects everyone—but not equally. Persons with disabilities, representing over 1.3 billion people globally, are among the most disproportionately impacted by climate-related risks, yet they remain largely invisible in climate policy, planning, and finance. This exclusion undermines both human rights and the effectiveness of climate solutions. As COP30 convenes in Belém, Brazil, this briefing calls on Parties to embed disability inclusion across all areas of the UNFCCC process.
The briefing outlines why inclusive climate action is not only a legal obligation under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), but also a strategic imperative for building resilient, equitable, and sustainable societies.
Key Recommendations and Calls to Action
The briefing identifies five priority areas—Just Transition, Global Goal on Adaptation, Gender Action Plan, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and Climate Finance—where disability inclusion must be strengthened at formally recognised at this upcoming COP. It urges Parties to:
- integrate disability indicators and accessibility standards into climate frameworks;
- ensure meaningful participation of organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs);
- and direct climate finance toward inclusive infrastructure and OPD-led projects.
Crucially, it calls for COP30 outcomes to formally recognise the Disability Caucus as a full Constituency and mandate reporting on disability inclusion across national communications and climate finance plans. This is a pivotal moment to ensure no one is left behind in the global response to climate change.
You can read the full briefing here: