Imagine a global political summit that shapes the future of our planet where one of the most populated countries in the world does not have a voice? This may seem unlikely, but currently 1.3 billion disabled people (nearly the population of China) do not have formal representation at policy talks held by the UN’s climate change body.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) hosts negotiations to limit global greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. Yet, people with disabilities are two to four times more likely to die or be injured in climate-related emergencies such as heatwaves, flooding and storms.
