EDF participated in the UN Bonn Climate Change Conference (SB60), which took place from 6 to 8 June 2024. The Bonn Conference is an annual meeting that serves to discuss and prepare commitments for the COP – the flagship UN Climate Change Conference.
One of the main priorities leading to COP 29 is the development of a new global finance goal: this goal is a commitment by governments to channel financial resources towards climate change mitigation and adaptations. The previous global finance goal – 100 billion dollars per year – expires in 2025. However, discussions on the new goal and on other priorities are going slower than expected.
Social communities that are most impacted by climate change are already greatly excluded from crucial budget planning, and persons with disabilities are among those most left behind. Extended delays and potential reductions in financial commitments will only exacerbate this situation. The end result is more delays in the process towards a disability-inclusive Just Transition.
Advocacy for Disability-Inclusive Climate Action
Our participation in the Bonn Conference – together with allies such as CBM Global – focused on ensuring that the needs and demands of persons with disabilities are taken into account.
Some key issues included:
- Policy Development and Implementation: We advocated for the integration of disability-inclusive language and measures in climate agreements and national policies. This includes ensuring that documents related to climate finance and goals are accessible and consider the requirements of the most at-risk groups of the population, including persons with disabilities.
- Intersectionality and Inclusion: We stressed the need to recognise and address the intersecting risks faced by persons with disabilities, particularly women and girls, indigenous and youth with disabilities, in the context of climate change. This includes addressing barriers to accessing essential services, emergency preparedness information, and adaptive technologies.
- Collaboration: We underscored the importance of working together with other stakeholders to promote inclusive climate action. This includes ensuring resources to organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) to allow them to engage in climate advocacy, policy development, implementation and monitoring. Our aim is to obtain official recognition as Disability Constituency. Constituencies are loose groups of NGOs officially recognised by the UN agency in charge of Climate Action. This would allow persons with disabilities to meaningfully participate on equal terms with others during negotiations, dialogues and consultations
- Arrangements of Intergovernmental Meetings (AIM): we advocated for reference to critical measures for disability inclusion in all intergovernmental meetings. For example, by respecting obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, such as accessibility and meaningful participation.
Key Activities and Engagements
During the conference, EDF engaged in several key activities:
- Climate Negotiations and Bilateral Meetings: We participated in the climate negotiations, emphasising the importance of meaningful participation and accessibility for persons with disabilities. Notably, we had a productive bilateral meeting with the upcoming Azerbaijani Presidency of the Conference of the Parties (COP 29) to discuss accessibility for persons with disabilities.
- Collaboration with UNFCCC Constituencies: We connected with various Constituencies officially recognised by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), particularly the Women and Gender (WGC) and Youth (YOUNGO) Constituencies. This engagement was crucial in learning about UNFCCC mechanisms and identifying areas where we could influence and collaborate to promote disability inclusion.
- Meeting with other stakeholders: EDF met with representatives from the Women and Gender Constituency to discuss the inclusion of disability in gender-related climate actions. This meeting underscored the importance of collaboration among Constituencies to push forward inclusive policies and ensure that disability is considered in gender texts being negotiated at the UN Bonn Climate Change Conference.
EDF also participated in key sessions of the conference.
Looking Ahead
Our engagement in the UN Bonn Climate Change Conference marks another step towards more inclusive global climate governance, especially climate adaptation policies. By championing the rights and requirements of persons with disabilities, we seek to ensure that climate policies are accessible and equitable for all. We will continue to advocate for a disability-inclusive COP 29 and for the official recognition of the Disability Constituency within the UN system.
For more information, please contact Giulia Traversi, EDF Humanitarian Policy Officer, giulia.traversi@edf-feph.org.
Featured photo credits: UNFCC/Creative Commons