Towards systems change: collaboration for disability-inclusive climate action

News-iag | February 2, 2026

In December, to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, CBM Global’s Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG) co-hosted a webinar with the Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub), Global Disability Fund (GDF), and Life Haven Philippines to present Advancing disability inclusive climate action – a practical resource guide for governments, funders, civil society, and technical teams.

Why this matters

Climate change is reshaping our world, yet persons with disabilities remain largely overlooked in climate planning and finance. CBM Global’s recent analysis of OECD DAC data revealed that less than one in five climate-related aid activities include disability objectives—and only one in 100 make it a main objective. At the current pace, full inclusion could take until 2058.

“We are not seeing enough practice on the ground that supports inclusive climate action… This is impacting millions of people around the world.” – Ola Abualghaib, Global Disability Fund

The Resource Guide

Developed by IAG and GDI Hub through global consultations with climate experts from UN, government, academia, and civil society, the guide offers:

Tools for inclusive planning, procurement, and monitoring
Sector-specific strategies for urban climate action, nature-based solutions, and energy transition
Case studies and frameworks to turn commitments into practice

“This is really a starting point… There is new evidence out there now, lots more to do, and we are excited to continue to work in this space.” – Mikaela Patrick, GDI Hub

What we heard from climate actors

The webinar attracted over 100 participants from UN agencies, civil society, academia, and climate finance institutions. Their priorities were clear: practical tools, inclusive governance standards, and capacity-building partnerships. This reflects a growing recognition that disability inclusion is essential, not optional for effective climate action.

Priorities for action

Despite progress, systemic challenges require urgent attention:

Breaking down silos: Foster collaboration between climate and disability teams to ensure inclusion is integrated from the start.
Developing practical tools: Expand resources for inclusive design in sectors such as energy transition and low-carbon infrastructure.
Building capacity: Create structured training programs for climate actors and OPDs to strengthen technical skills and shared understanding.
Amplifying OPD leadership: Ensure organisations of persons with disabilities have a seat at the table in governance and finance mechanisms.
Securing dedicated funding: Advocate for disability inclusion to be embedded in climate finance streams.
Shifting perceptions: Position inclusion as a core component of resilience and systems change—not an add-on.

“Guidance alone doesn’t change systems. Implementation support and collaboration are critical if we are going to move from good intentions to real impact.” – Tom Palmer, IAG

Collaboration and capacity exchange

Driving disability-inclusive climate action demands meaningful partnerships with organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs). Initiatives led by OPDs, such as Life Haven Philippines, demonstrate the power of lived experience in shaping solutions that work for communities. This is why CBM Global have been collaborating with GDF and Life Haven to strengthen the capacity of OPDs to influence climate action.

“Having OPDs as facilitators builds trust and a sense of shared purpose.” – Karla Henson, Life Haven Philippines

CBM Global’s Inclusion Advisory Group plays a unique role in facilitating capacity exchange between climate actors and OPDs. By connecting technical expertise with local knowledge, we help ensure that climate strategies are inclusive, practical, and grounded in real-world contexts. This approach strengthens governance, accelerates implementation, and builds resilience for all.

Together with partners like GDI Hub, Global Disability Fund, and Life Haven, we look forward to collaborating on initiatives that embed disability inclusion in climate systems and drive lasting change.

IAG role and capability

Climate actors are asking for help to turn commitments into action. Our advisory model combines:

Technical expertise in disability inclusion
Global reach through OPD networks and country teams
Practical tools and training tailored for climate adaptation and mitigation

We are ready to partner on:

Programme design and implementation
Inclusive governance and policy development
Capacity building for OPDs and climate actors
Evidence generation and learning

Find out more about our inclusive climate action advisory offer, explore the resource guide, and connect with us to discuss advisory partnerships.

Back to Stories

Other IAG Projects

Advancing disability inclusive climate action: A resource guide for global practitioners

Advancing disability inclusive climate action: A resource guide for...

Resilience in partnership: IAG and WFP sustain disability inclusion efforts despite funding crisis

Despite a challenging global context marked by significant resource...

Building disability inclusion into partner programmes

CBM Global’s Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG) welcomes opportunities to work with mainstream partners to...