COP is inherently inaccessible - Jason Boberg in Legit News Nigeria

Activate Agency Creative Director, and Co-Founder of the SustainedAbility Disability and Climate Network, Jason Boberg features alongside other SDCN Network members in Legit News’ coverage of the COP27 United Nations Climate Negotiations ongoing in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Boberg regularly engages with the UNFCCC process, advocating for more inclusive and accessible conferences to ensure equitable participation of people with disabilities. While every COP has its challenges, Boberg highlighted the particular challenges for wheelchair users; people with mobility impairments; and others navigating the large conference venue - the proliferation of newly constructed concrete curbs.

"As a disabled person, COP is inherently inaccessible for me," said SustainedAbility's Jason Boberg, who has attended the past five summits organised by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, or UNFCCC.

But playing on the acronym, he has dubbed this year's event the "UN Framework Convention on Concrete Curbs".

COP27 summit: NZ group lobbies for more disabled people's involvement

A group of New Zealanders is fighting for those with disabilities to have more of a voice and proper support at UN climate conferences.

Greens co-leader James Shaw also addressed the disability issues event held on the side of the COP27 summit in Egypt, which was hosted by the SustainedAbility Disability & Climate Network.

Activate Co-Directors, Kera Sherwood-O’Regan and Jason Boberg spoke to Radio New Zealand reporter, Hamish Cardwell, about disability inclusion while attending the United Nations Climate Conference, COP27, in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Both are involved in the SustainedAbility Disability and Climate Network (SDCN), a network of Disabled Peoples’ Organisations, NGOs, and disabled activists advocating for disability-inclusive climate action. The network has been incubated by Activate Agency, as part of our commitment to social impact, and this year it hosted an official side event as part of the conference programme.

New Zealand Minister for Climate Change, James Shaw, provided a video address, supporting the SDCN’s calls for a Disability Constituency and a Disability Action Plan within the UNFCCC.

Speakers addressed the importance of disability inclusion and the cross-constituency efforts at the UNFCCC, and included Ms. Pratima Gurung, of the National Indigenous Disabled Women’s Association of Nepal; Janna Merkelbach of the Climate Action Network; Dr Graeme Reed, co-chair of the Indigenous Peoples’ Constituency, alongside Jason Boberg, and Kera Sherwood-O’Regan who moderated the panel.

Climate change hits disabled and Indigenous communities hard. Kera Sherwood-O'Regan wants their voices heard - UC Boulder

Our Impact Director, Kera Sherwood-O’Regan was interviewed by UC Boulder journalist, Lisa Marshall on climate change and its impacts on Indigenous and disabled communities.

“Everyone has the right to be rescued, but in many areas around the world, civil defense planning doesn’t account for disabled people”

“How are we supposed to get our rights included if we can’t get into the venue?” - Jason Boberg

Jason Boberg, Activate’s Creative Director, and Co-Founder of the SustainedAbility Disability and Climate Network is on the ground in Glasgow for the COP26 United Nations Climate Negotiations in Glasgow. Advocating for the recognition of a Disability Constituency, and for greater accessibility and inclusion of disabled people within the UNFCCC, Jason spoke with John Pring of the Disability News Service about accessibility struggles at the conference.

U.N. climate talks have 'failed the people', activists say - Reuters

The Activate team have been on the ground in Madrid for the COP25 United Nations Climate Negotiations, supporting civil society and Indigenous Peoples organisations advocating for climate justice.

Activate Creative Director and Co-Founder of the SustainedAbility Disability and Climate Network, Jason Boberg, spoke on behalf of the disabled community at “The People’s Plenary”, an event organised across civil society to give voice to communities and campaigners in the critical final hours of the conference.

His comments were included in the round-up by Reuters reporter, Megan Rowling;

Jason Boberg, a New Zealand disability rights campaigner and filmmaker, told the people’s assembly those with disabilities faced serious threats from climate change.

“From fires and power shut-offs in California to floods and other disasters, disabled people... are the first to be left behind and the first to die,” he said.

Speakers criticized the reluctance of wealthy governments to provide financial support for people left hungry, water-short and homeless by worsening extreme weather and rising seas.

And some decried plans to expand carbon emissions trading markets to include forests without guarantees the schemes would reduce emissions or protect local people’s rights.

“Our forests are not for sale,” said Ibrahim from Chad.