Climate change and persons with disabilities in Asia

Asia's diverse landscapes, including its mountainous regions, extensive coastlines, and densely populated urban areas, face unique and severe climate-related challenges. These environmental shifts disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, particularly people with disabilities, who often encounter additional barriers in accessing resources, adaptive strategies, and emergency services. This chapter explores the intersection of disability and climate change in Asia, highlighting the socio-cultural, economic, and infrastructural barriers that amplify the vulnerability of people with disabilities. It discusses the specific impacts of rising temperatures, increasing floods, desertification, and salinity intrusion on disabled populations and reviews disability-inclusive policies across various Asian countries, highlighting both successful initiatives and areas where improvement is needed. The chapter concludes with recommendations for creating more inclusive climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies, aimed at better protecting and supporting people with disabilities in the face of growing climate challenges.