Duty-Bearers
Duty-bearers play a critical role in climate resilience and community empowerment, encompassing a wide range of actors with obligations and responsibilities to respect, promote, and realize human rights, including those related to environmental protection and climate change adaptation. Duty-bearers in the context of climate resilience and community empowerment include:
1. Government Departments
- State Disaster Management Authority
- District Disaster Management Authority
- Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC)
- Planning and Development Department AJK
- Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD)
- Department of Agriculture (DOA)
- Forest Department Government of AJ&K
2. Civil Society and Non-State Actors
- Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC)
- World Bank
- IUCN
- UNDP
- Local NGO’s
3. Academia and Research Institutions
Schools, collages, universities and research centers contribute to climate resilience by conducting research, providing scientific data and analysis, and developing innovative solutions to climate-related challenges.
4. Media
The media plays a role in disseminating information about climate change and resilience strategies, as well as in holding stakeholders accountable for their actions.
Rights-Holders
Individuals and communities from target areas are entitled to certain rights and whose interests are directly affected by climate change and the actions taken to address it. Rights-holders typically include:
- Indigenous People: They possess traditional knowledge and practices prevails in the target areas that are crucial for climate resilience and are often on the frontlines of climate impacts.
- Local Communities: Including those in vulnerable situations such as women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, and the poor.
- Future Generations: Although not present, future generations are considered rights-holders as they will inherit the consequences of current actions or inactions regarding climate change.
- Climate Refugees: Individuals and communities forced to relocate due to climate-related disasters or gradual environmental degradation.
- Ecosystems and Natural Entities: There is a growing recognition of the rights of nature, where ecosystems, rivers, lakes, and mountains may be granted legal rights, reflecting the intrinsic value of nature and its role in supporting human well-being and climate resilience.
- General Public: All citizens are rights-holders as they have the right to a healthy environment, access to information, participation in governance, and other human rights that are affected by climate change.
Other Relevant Actors:
- Pakistan Army
- Civil Defence
- Environmental and Climate Change Experts
- Town Planning and Infrastructure Development Authorities