Environmental Justice Meets Disability Rights: Co-Designing
Inclusive Climate Policy for Sustainable Cities
Climate change disproportionately affects persons with disabilities (PwD), yet
disability inclusion remains marginal in climate policy, urban planning, and
environmental justice discourse. Drawing on intersectional environmental justice
theory and the social model of disability, this study examines how disability is (and is
not) integrated into climate adaptation and resilience policies across global cities. We
employ a mixed-method design combining qualitative interviews with persons with
disabilities (n = 95) and quantitative survey data (n = 412) across five countries (UK,
India, Nigeria, Brazil, and Germany). Using CHIA text analysis and ANOVA to
analyze perceptual and experiential differences, we find significant disparities (p < .01)
in policy responsiveness across regions, with inclusion correlating positively with
disability representation in policy workshops. Recommendations emphasize co-design
with disabled communities, universal accessible infrastructure, and comprehensive
disability-inclusive climate governance frameworks. This paper contributes to
environmental sociology, planetary health, and disability justice scholarship while
offering actionable pathways for inclusive climate resilience.