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 and climate change and disability generally. 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.
Climate Change and Disability -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.
Climate Change and Disability -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
Climate Change and Disability –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.
