'Disability voices must shape climate policy, not just be represented'

People with disabilities must have meaningful opportunities to participate in climate discussions and influence decisions to ensure policies reflect the challenges faced by communities on the ground.

Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Officer Sabina Moce, who works with civil society organisation Field Ready, said representation alone was not enough.

She said people with disabilities needed opportunities to participate, speak and influence decisions where policies were being shaped.

Speaking on the second day of the ongoing Regional Conference of Youth at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Ms Moce said her participation in such a space was an important step towards greater inclusion.

“I have never been to COP. This was my first COP, and being invited to this kind of space was a step towards inclusion,” she said.

Ms Moce said representation was important, but participation was equally critical because it allowed decision-makers to better understand the needs of people with disabilities.

She said people attending international and regional discussions often represented communities that did not have the opportunity to be physically present.

“We have the power. We were in this room, and we had the power to implement those conversations and then lead them to policies,” she said.

Ms Moce said greater representation was also needed among young people with different disabilities.

She said having only a small number of people with disabilities in a discussion limited the range of experiences and needs being presented.

“Luisa was a person with a mobility impairment, and she could tell you the needs of persons with mobility impairments. But what about those who had hearing impairments? What about those who had other disabilities?” she said.

Ms Moce, who also serves as secretary of the Fiji Disability People’s Board and a board member of the Pacific Disability Forum Youth Board, said meaningful participation and representation were essential if climate action was to be truly inclusive.