The Global Disability Fund (GDF) has launched the Disability-Inclusive Climate Champions Network, bringing together persons with disabilities, organisations of persons with disabilities, climate experts, policymakers, funders and development partners to strengthen disability inclusion in climate action.
The network aims to create greater space for people with disabilities to influence climate policy, planning, financing and implementation, particularly across the Pacific.
GDF says people with disabilities are disproportionately affected by climate change, while their lived experience and expertise remain underrepresented in climate decision-making.
The fund says the network will “amplify Pacific lived experience, community knowledge and disability leadership” while creating connections between disability and climate actors.
The initiative will support members to share evidence and lived experience, identify opportunities for inclusive climate action, build cross-sector partnerships and highlight community-led solutions. It will also contribute to a shared agenda ahead of COP31 in Türkiye and beyond.
The network builds on discussions from the Reimagining Disability-Inclusive Climate Action Pre-COP session, which called for stronger collaboration between disability and climate movements.
GDF emphasises that inclusion must extend beyond consultation, with people with disabilities playing a meaningful role in shaping the decisions that affect them.
“Nothing about disability-inclusive climate action should be designed without the people and communities it is intended to serve,” the fund says.
The network is open to individuals and organisations interested in advancing disability-inclusive climate action through collaboration, innovation and shared leadership.
Through the initiative, GDF seeks to strengthen the role of disability leadership in climate discussions while connecting community knowledge with policymakers, funders and other actors shaping climate responses.
