- National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA)
- FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Federal Ministry of Environment
- Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB)
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
- National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA)
- Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet)
- Nigeria Conservation Foundation
- Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP)
- Development Impact Pathfinders Initiative
- Action on Food Security Initiative
- International Climate Change Development Initiative
- Initiative for Socioeconomic and Ecological Advancement
- Eco Research and Resource Center
- Initiative for Organic Agriculture and Climate Education
- HipCity Innovation Center
- Women and girls with Albinism Network
- Ecocykle Development Foundation
- Hope Alive Initiative
- Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)
- Armed Forces Radio
- ONTV
- Circular TV News
- Nigeria Pilot
The Need for Inclusive Climate Action
Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities (PWDs). While climate-related disasters such as flooding, droughts, and extreme weather events affect entire populations, persons with disabilities often face additional barriers, such as:- Limited access to early warning systems and emergency preparedness programs.
- Difficulties in evacuating during climate-related disasters due to mobility restrictions.
- Lack of accessible disaster relief facilities, shelters, and services.
- Exclusion from climate policy formulation and decision-making processes.
In her keynote address, Mrs. Patience Ogolo-Dickson, Executive Director of AWWDI, emphasized that climate policies must be inclusive and address the unique vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities, particularly women and girls.
“For too long, climate action has overlooked the needs of persons with disabilities. We must recognize that climate justice is not complete without disability inclusion. This initiative ensures that the voices of women with disabilities are not only heard but also shape climate policies and interventions.”
The Director General of FEMA (Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency) highlighted the importance of disability-inclusive emergency preparedness and response strategies
“Climate change is real, and as a disaster management agency, it is our duty to provide people with critical information before disasters occur.
We must deepen our understanding of disabilities to ensure that no one is left behind in emergency preparedness and response. As the Director General of FEMA, I want to assure you that I am fully committed to supporting you and your programs. I encourage you to present any initiative you believe FEMA can partner with, and I assure you of our 100% support.
When I assumed office as DG, I had discussions with the Director of the Rehabilitation Centre about the lack of sign language interpreters within our agency. As an emergency management body, how do we effectively communicate with persons who are deaf in times of crisis? These are gaps we must address. I will ensure that we formally request and incorporate sign language interpreters into our emergency response framework.
Furthermore, if there are any policies you believe FEMA should adopt to enhance disability-inclusive disaster management, please write to us. We are ready to assist, and by the grace of God, we will implement the policies that align with inclusive emergency management. As we roll out disaster management initiatives in the FCT, we will make sure that persons with disabilities are fully included and engaged.”
- Mrs. Ola, UNFPA Disability Analyst, emphasized the importance of gender-responsive and disability-inclusive policies in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Formation of the Inclusive Climate Action Team (ICAT)
A key milestone of the event was the official formation of ICAT, a multi-stakeholder team dedicated to: ✔ Advocating for inclusive climate policies at all levels of governance.✔ Ensuring the active participation of persons with disabilities in climate action planning.
✔ Developing targeted climate adaptation and mitigation strategies for marginalized groups.
✔ Providing accessible climate-related information in multiple formats (Braille, sign language, simplified language, and audio versions).
✔ Strengthening collaboration between government agencies, OPDs, and CSOs. The establishment of ICAT marks a shift in Nigeria’s approach to climate action, ensuring that persons with disabilities are not merely beneficiaries but active contributors to climate solutions.
Key Recommendations and Action Points
To advance ICAT’s objectives, participants identified critical areas of intervention and proposed actionable strategies to make climate action more inclusive. These include:1. Policy Advocacy & Inclusion
- Integrate disability and gender perspectives into national and local climate policies.
- Ensure that PWDs actively participate in climate decision-making processes.
- Mandate disability-inclusive approaches in all climate-related funding, planning, and implementation strategies.
- Establish legal frameworks that make climate adaptation and disaster response accessible to all.
2. Capacity Building & Training
- Train policymakers, emergency responders, and CSOs on disability-inclusive climate strategies.
- Strengthen the capacity of women with disabilities to engage in climate advocacy and leadership roles.
- Organize workshops on climate resilience tailored to the needs of marginalized groups.
3. Climate Adaptation & Resilience
- Conduct climate impact assessments specifically addressing the needs of persons with disabilities.
- Ensure that climate adaptation strategies include accessible evacuation routes and emergency shelters.
- Develop disaster risk reduction programs that are inclusive and accessible to all communities.
4. Accessible Climate Information & Media Engagement
- Ensure that climate-related information is available in multiple accessible formats.
- Leverage media platforms to highlight climate challenges faced by PWDs.
- Develop inclusive communication strategies to enhance climate education and awareness.
Stakeholders’ Commitments and Roles
The event also saw stakeholders committing to specific responsibilities to drive the implementation of disability-inclusive climate action. These responsibilities include:Government Agencies
- Develop policies that prioritize disability inclusion in climate action.
- Allocate funding for disability-inclusive climate programs.
- Ensure that emergency response plans account for the needs of persons with disabilities.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) & OPDs
- Engage in continuous advocacy for disability-inclusive climate policies.
- Conduct research on climate change’s impact on PWDs and provide policy recommendations.
- Organize community-based training programs to empower women with disabilities in climate advocacy.
Media & Communication Experts
- Raise public awareness on disability-inclusive climate action.
- Ensure that media content on climate change is accessible to all, including persons with disabilities.
- Use storytelling and documentaries to highlight lived experiences of PWDs in climate crises.
Next Steps: Advancing Disability-Inclusive Climate Action
With ICAT’s launch, AWWDI is committed to driving systemic change in Nigeria’s climate policies. The next steps include: ➡ Operationalizing ICAT – Developing an action plan with clear timelines and responsibilities.➡ Enhancing stakeholder collaboration – Strengthening partnerships between government agencies, OPDs, and CSOs.
➡ Implementing inclusive climate policies – Ensuring that all climate policies consider the specific needs of persons with disabilities.
➡ Monitoring & Evaluation – Establishing indicators to measure progress and the impact of inclusive climate initiatives. These steps will ensure that ICAT remains effective, accountable, and impactful in its mission to promote climate resilience for all.