Discussion paper launched at Bonn Climate Conference

News | June 8, 2023

CBM UK, member of CBM Global and co-lead of our federation climate advocacy cluster will launch the following discussion paper at a Bonn side event on June 8th. The paper focuses on three country case studies from Kenya, Nepal and Bangladesh. The original research which inspired the discussion paper was carried out by master’s students at the London School of Economics. It was an innovative study that investigated what limited data is available.

“In commissioning the study ‘Climate action and its impact on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)’, we worked with the research students to investigate our hypothesis which was; the costs and damages incurred by climate change, if not met with additional and specific funding, will result in national funds being diverted away from essential government services,” Kirsty Smith, CEO, CBM UK.

The discussion paper highlights how existing challenges in participatory budgetary processes can be further exacerbated during times of climate crisis. It also highlights how during times of crisis budgets allocated for disability rights can come under pressure to be reallocated.

The paper also provided some practical ways forward which included recommendations for participatory budget processes, the need for better data and improved coordination between government Ministries.

“One of the issues we heard from OPDs was of a disconnect and lack of coordination between different ministries with responsibility for climate and disability. The Ministries leading national climate adaptation and mitigation had limited or no communication with Ministries working on disability rights and similarly ministries working on disability rights and social protection were not coordinating with climate ministries. Having good channels for communication and coordination would seem like an easy first step to take,” Mary Keogh, CBM Global Advocacy Director.

The paper feeds into CBM Global’s growing evidence base on the impact of the climate crisis on persons with disabilities supporting our advocacy work with OPDs for improved disability climate policy outcomes.

The side event takes place on Thursday, June 8th from 11.45 – 13.00 CET.

Back to News