Promoting Inclusive Approaches to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

News | March 21, 2025

The Context

CBM Ireland, in collaboration with CBM UK, represented the CBM Global Federation at COP29. The conference took place as the countries party to the Paris Agreement were revising their climate action plans for submission in early 2025. Recognising the urgent need for inclusivity, CBM Global through its climate advocacy roadmap has been advocating for the recognition of disability inclusive climate justice, the inclusion of the agenda of persons with disabilities, and their representative movements, including Organisations of Persons with Disabilities  (OPDs) into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Our official side event jointly organised with Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, CAN Latin America and International Disability Alliance (IDA) highlighted the importance of democratic practices and engaging with OPDs and disability movements while  governments are preparing their NDCs.   

What is NDC? Is it only about the Greenhouse gas?

A Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) is a country’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and take actions to combat climate change. Countries update and enhance their NDCs periodically, aiming for progressively higher ambition in addressing climate change. However, NDCs are more than just policy documents. They represent the pledges countries make to each other and to their own citizens to address the climate crisis. Therefore, people’s involvement in climate planning is essential.   

Why Inclusion Matters in NDCs

The outcome of the first 2023 Global Stocktake (GST) highlighted the importance of inclusivity and equity, reinforcing the necessity of respecting and promoting human rights obligations when they take climate actions:   

“…that climate change is a common concern of humankind and that Parties should, when taking action to address climate change, respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights, the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, the right to health, the rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, migrants, children, persons with disabilities and people in vulnerable situations and the right to development, as well as gender equality, empowerment of women and intergenerational equity”  

UNFCCC First Global Stocktake, revised version, 2023

This extends to  climate action plans, of which  NDC 3.0, is the latest iteration of these plans, and must reflect these principles to ensure equitable climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

What is Inclusive Climate Action

Globally, 1.3 billion people—1 in 6 individuals comprise the population with disabilities, with 80% residing in low-income countries. The climate crisis disproportionately affects them due to historical underfunding, systemic barriers, and societal exclusion. Despite this, climate action policies often regard persons with disabilities as passive recipients rather than active stakeholders with rights who come across unique issues and can therefore make unique contributions with innovative solutions to the crisis.

CBM Global research across 16 countries in both hemispheres (forthcoming publication) reveals a persistent trend: persons with disabilities are frequently overlooked, broadly categorised under the term “vulnerable populations,” and excluded from decision-making processes. We believe such categorisation may promote systemic neglect in climate governance.

Disability in Climate Crisis Situations

We are witnessing an increasing trend of climate crisis-fuelled emergencies. Yet, during emergencies, inaccessible evacuation procedures, shelters, and communication systems neglect the diverse needs of people with disabilities. Moreover, slow-onset climate impacts—such as rising temperatures—exacerbate health risks. For instance, the increased incidence of skin cancer underscores the need for sunscreen as a lifesaving resource.    However, the World Health Organization (WHO) does not classify sunscreen as an essential medicine, illustrating the gaps in climate-related health policies. We have supported the Africa Albinism Network (AAN) to join us at COP29 to amplify their petition. Our ongoing partnership with AAN underscores the need for a change in WHO policy in this respect.

Persons with disabilities are not a homogenous group; their experiences are shaped by intersectional identities. Climate response strategies must acknowledge and address these differences to ensure effective, inclusive solutions.

The Case for Disability-Specific Strategies in NDCs

Aligning NDCs with human rights principles and incorporating disability-inclusive approaches strengthens community resilience by ensuring that persons with disabilities actively participate in ongoing climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, rather than being sidelined by inadequate policies This is crucial to ensuring, for example, accessible early warning systems, inclusive disaster response plans and climate resilience strategies.

Beyond Tokenism: Meaningful Engagement of OPDs in Climate Decision-Making

An Oxfam report underscores a critical issue: the communities most affected by climate change are often the least consulted in policy development. To create genuinely inclusive climate policies, NDCs must integrate the perspectives of the disability movement (OPDs) throughout the planning and implementation processes.

OPDs offer invaluable expertise, providing insight into the specific needs, barriers, and strengths within disability communities. Their involvement ensures that NDCs do not merely mitigate harm but actively promote social inclusion, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“OPDs, together with civil society organisations and UN agencies, engaged in ongoing discussions and advocacy with the Nepal Government. This collaboration led to the inclusion of disability inclusion under the Gender Equality Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) theme in NDC 3.0. Additionally, youth with disabilities from climate justice movement supported OPDs during the process and connected them in NDC consultation workshops. This was another key factor that contributed to include disability inclusion in Nepal’s NDC-3.”

Dinesh Prasad Baral of CBM Global Nepal explains the story of Nepal’s disability inclusive NDC3.0

The Role of Data in Driving Disability-Inclusive Climate Resilience

A major obstacle to effective inclusion is the lack of comprehensive data on how climate change affects persons with disabilities. Without disaggregated data, policymakers struggle to develop targeted NDC initiatives.

Improved data collection is essential for:

• Identifying climate risks specific to persons with disabilities.
• Measuring the impact of inclusive climate policies.
• Enhancing transparency and accountability in climate action planning.
• Investing in data-driven approaches ensures that disability inclusion is not an afterthought but a core principle in climate resilience efforts.

Key Advocacy Pillars for Inclusive NDCs

For civil society and OPDs, advocacy should focus on four fundamental pillars:

1. Ambition in Climate Action: NDCs must be aligned with the Global Stocktake (GST) outcomes and drive ambitious, inclusive climate action.
2. Fair Share: NDCs should reflect equity by incorporating the concept of “fair shares” in climate commitments.
3. Development-Oriented Approaches: Policies must emphasise solidarity and justice, focusing on capacity-building for the most marginalised communities.
4. Climate Finance: NDCs should outline how adequate financial resources will be allocated to support and empower marginalised populations, including persons with disabilities, or detail national financial needs for climate adaptation and mitigation.

Way forward

The road to disability-inclusive climate action requires systemic change. Countries must recognise persons with disabilities as active contributors, not just beneficiaries, in climate policies. By embedding inclusivity in NDCs, we can create climate strategies that are effective, just, and sustainable for all. The time for action is now—ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against climate change.

 

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