A digitally stylized collage with abstract elements in shades of blue, green, and purple. On the right side, there is a prominent eye symbol with the Earth in its iris, surrounded by bold text that reads "Open Your Eyes." Below the eye, the phrase "Change Starts Now" is partially visible. The left side of the image is filled with overlapping shapes resembling medical equipment, such as syringes, crutches, and wheelchairs, hinting at themes of disability and healthcare. The right side features gears and machinery, evoking a sense of industry and environmental change. The overall composition has a graffiti-like texture, blending social and environmental justice themes.

How Climate Change Affects Disabled People: Insights from the Stockton Business Climate Coalition

10 February 2025
A stylized, digitally illustrated graphic with a bold, high-contrast color palette of blues, greens, and purples. On the left side, large text in yellow and white reads: "How Climate Change Affects Disabled People: Insights from the Stockton Business Climate Coalition." On the right, an abstract mural-style background features an eye with the Earth in its iris, surrounded by text that says, "Open Your Eyes." A dark vertical banner on the right reads "Difference NE" with a smaller tagline below: "Do you want to fight for disability rights? Join!

On Monday, 3rd February, our Teesside Development Manager, Claire, attended the Stockton-on-Tees Business Climate Coalition to highlight the disproportionate impact of climate change on disabled people. She emphasized the need for businesses to centre disabled voices—both as employees and consumers—to improve awareness, shape inclusive policies, and create better outcomes for all.

Fuel Poverty: The Rising Cost of Living for Disabled People

Disabled individuals face higher energy costs due to essential medical equipment and increased heating needs. The disability price tag adds over £1,000 per month to household expenses, making disabled people more vulnerable to energy price hikes.

Food Insecurity: A Hidden Crisis for Disabled People

Many disabled individuals struggle to access affordable, nutritious food due to limited transport options and mobility barriers. Shockingly, in 2024, 69% of food bank users were disabled people.

Single-Use Plastics: The Environmental Dilemma for Disabled People

Many essential medical supplies—like gloves, syringes, catheters, and tubing—are single-use plastics for infection control. While reducing plastic waste is crucial, disabled people cannot simply “reduce, reuse, and recycle” in the same way others can.

Transport & Active Travel: Closing the Accessibility Gap

Public transport across Teesside remains inaccessible. Some buses lack audio and visual stop announcements, and limited seating forces disabled passengers to miss buses altogether.

Emergency Responses & Evacuation Plans: A Life-or-Death Issue

Disabled people are at higher risk during climate-related disasters like floods, heatwaves, and fires. The Grenfell Tower fire exposed major failings, as none of the disabled residents who died had a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP).

We must push for:

  • Investment in accessible housing
  • Better emergency planning for disabled individuals
  • Legally enforced PEEP plans to protect those at risk

What’s Next? Making Climate Conversations More Accessible

Claire has been invited to return to the Stockton-on-Tees Business Climate Coalition meeting in March to discuss how to make climate messaging more accessible for all.

📢 Join the movement for inclusive climate justice!

At Difference North East, we are dedicated to amplifying disabled voices in climate action.

👉 Sign up as a member today: Difference North East Membership

Find out more about the Stockton-on-Tees Climate Coalition here.