Nigerian Disability Coalition Demands Inclusive Climate Finance, Accessible Early-Warning Systems, Representation in Global Climate Decisions
ABUJA, November 12, 2026 – A coalition of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria has called on world leaders, governments, climate negotiators and international development partners to prioritise disability inclusion in global climate action, demanding accessible climate finance, inclusive early-warning systems and meaningful representation of persons with disabilities in climate decision-making.
The Coalition of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities on Climate Change (COPD-CC) made the demands in a press statement issued on Thursday, November 12, as world leaders and climate stakeholders gather for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), holding from November 9 to 20, 2026, in Antalya, Türkiye.
The coalition warned that climate change is not disability-neutral, noting that persons with disabilities face disproportionate risks from flooding, drought, extreme weather events, food insecurity and environmental degradation, often worsened by inaccessible climate information, inadequate emergency preparedness and exclusion from decision-making processes.
It particularly highlighted the challenges facing women and girls with disabilities, who experience intersecting forms of discrimination, heightened exposure to gender-based violence and significant barriers to livelihoods, protection and participation in climate resilience programmes.
According to the coalition, persons with disabilities must no longer be treated merely as beneficiaries of climate interventions but recognised as rights-holders, innovators, community leaders and essential contributors to climate solutions.
Demands Formal Disability Constituency in UNFCCC
A major demand of the coalition is the formal recognition and approval of a Disability Constituency within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
It argued that the current recognition of the Disability Caucus as an informal NGO group does not provide persons with disabilities with the same institutional recognition and participation opportunities available to officially recognised constituencies.
The coalition maintained that formal recognition would create a structured platform for Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to coordinate their engagement, contribute to climate negotiations, make interventions and participate meaningfully in global climate decisions.
It urged UNFCCC Parties, the COP31 Presidency and the UNFCCC Secretariat to facilitate the necessary processes towards securing this recognition.
“Nothing About Us Without Us must be reflected in the institutional architecture of the UNFCCC, not merely in declarations and policy statements,” the coalition stressed.
Calls for Accessible Climate Finance and Early-Warning Systems
Beyond institutional representation, COPD-CC called on governments, climate-finance institutions and development partners to establish accessible funding mechanisms and dedicate resources to disability-inclusive climate programmes.
It specifically urged the Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, multilateral development banks and philanthropic institutions to provide direct funding opportunities for OPD-led initiatives, simplify grant procedures and offer technical assistance to disability-led organisations.
The coalition also called for climate investments to incorporate measurable disability-inclusion outcomes and transparent accountability mechanisms.
On disaster preparedness, it emphasised that weather forecasts, emergency alerts, climate information and evacuation instructions must be provided in accessible formats, including sign language, audio announcements, captions, Braille, large print, easy-to-read materials and screen-reader-compatible digital platforms.
It further stressed the need to make emergency shelters, evacuation routes, sanitation facilities and humanitarian response services accessible to persons with disabilities.
According to the coalition, OPDs must be actively involved in community risk assessments, emergency preparedness exercises and post-disaster evaluations.
Women with Disabilities, Green Jobs and Climate Livelihoods
The coalition also called for gender-responsive climate action, with particular attention to women and girls with disabilities.
It urged governments and development partners to address gender-based violence, displacement-related risks, sexual and reproductive health challenges, economic insecurity and barriers to leadership in climate programmes.
It further advocated expanded opportunities for persons with disabilities in green jobs, renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, entrepreneurship, vocational training and accessible financial services.
On climate research and innovation, COPD-CC called for stronger ethical collection and use of disability-disaggregated data in climate vulnerability assessments, adaptation planning, disaster preparedness and climate-finance monitoring.
It also demanded measurable indicators, dedicated budgets, implementation timelines and regular reporting mechanisms to ensure that disability inclusion moves beyond policy declarations to concrete action.
Nigerian Government Urged to Demonstrate Leadership
Turning its attention to Nigeria, the coalition called on the Federal Government to demonstrate stronger leadership by integrating disability inclusion into national climate commitments, adaptation plans and climate policies.
It urged the government to ensure meaningful representation of OPDs in Nigeria’s climate delegations and international engagements, strengthen accessible early-warning systems and allocate dedicated resources for disability-inclusive climate adaptation and resilience.
The coalition also called for stronger collaboration among OPDs, the National Council on Climate Change, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and relevant state institutions.
Other recommendations include expanding access to climate-resilient livelihoods, renewable energy, green employment and climate-smart agriculture, as well as establishing coordinated mechanisms to monitor disability inclusion in climate policies, programmes and budgets.
Coalition Reaffirms Commitment to Inclusive Climate Governance
Reaffirming its commitment to advancing disability inclusion in Nigeria’s climate governance and resilience processes, COPD-CC expressed readiness to collaborate with governments, civil society organisations, research institutions, climate institutions and development partners.
However, it emphasised that such partnerships must respect the independence and OPD-led governance of the coalition.
As COP31 deliberations continue in Türkiye, the coalition urged global leaders to move beyond general commitments and translate disability inclusion into formal institutional recognition, meaningful representation, accessible financing, concrete investments and measurable accountability.
The statement was signed by the Coalition of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities on Climate Change (COPD-CC), comprising seven disability-focused organisations:
- Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI).
- Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).
- Inclusive Friends Association (IFA).
- Disability Projects Initiative (DPI Nigeria).
- Disability Not a Barrier Initiative (DINABI).
- Hope Alive for Possibilities Initiative (HAPI).
- Sauri Growth Initiative for Women and Youth with Disabilities.
Dr. Kola Jayeoba, representing the coalition, was listed as the contact person for further engagement.
The coalition’s message to the global climate community is clear: There can be no just, equitable and sustainable climate action without the meaningful inclusion, participation and leadership of persons with disabilities.
