It started with a voice and a call for change – Emma’s story

Real change happens when voices are listened to. The right decisions are made when people are understood. For Emma Geen, the mission was clear – bring together Disabled people from across Bristol to make the city better for everyone.

Listening to underrepresented voices

Emma had long been guided by the principle “nothing about us, without us”.

When her lived experience led her to become Climate & Disability Programme Associate at Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership, Emma knew that policies needed to be designed by the people they affect most.

Climate change disproportionately affects Disabled people. It threatens livelihoods, health and mobility.

But Emma also recognised the strengths within the community of Disabled people. Navigating environments that don’t meet your needs requires resilience and adaptability, which are key to responding to climate-related issues.

The community climate action plan

Recognising that Disabled people are often excluded from climate conversations, Emma brought together around 150 Disabled people to co-produce the community climate action plan as part of the Climate & Disability Programme.

The project is part of the wider Community Climate & Nature Action Project, coordinated by Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership, and is supported by the Climate Action Fund (CAF). CAF supports communities across the UK to act on climate change and involve more people in environmental action.

Emma knew that by considering the barriers faced by Disabled people, the project would make life better and easier for everyone across Bristol.

Cleaner air may help someone with a respiratory condition – but it benefits us all. Accessible parks designed by wheelchair users create better shared spaces for the whole community.

That’s the beauty of inclusive design – everyone wins.

What it has achieved so far

The community climate action plan has been shaped by around 150 participants and is the first climate action plan in the UK, and possibly the world, designed by Disabled people.

The programme remains one of the only current UK projects focusing on this important area of climate action and has delivered a diverse range of activity and resources, including:

Research and engagement with Disabled people on inclusive transport, home energy, food and nature

Guidance for local authorities to consider the community of Disabled people in climate and nature policies, and for employers to create inclusive green jobs

Collaboration with Disabled artists on inclusive transport and climate justice

The action plan developed through this programme is now embedded in city strategy – leading to a Disabled people’s transport group and a Golden Motion to make Bristol the most accessible city.

Get started

Could you be the voice for a community? The driving force behind change?

We support environmental projects of all shapes and sizes. We offer grants from £300 up to £20,000 through our open Awards for All programme to grants over £500,000 through our Climate Action Fund.

Find out more about environmental funding in your area and apply.