Human Rights Dimensions of Climate Actions and Security in Pakistan: A Critical Analysis of Policy and Practices

Abstract

In Pakistan, climate change has caused concern as a significant human rights and security issue, as it is a country with low historic emissions, but a high vulnerability to climate changes. This article critically looks into the question of whether the climate laws, policies and institutional practices in Pakistan are sufficient to realize the rights to life, health, food, water, housing and livelihood and whether they are responsive to security challenges that arise as a result of climate change. The study applies a qualitative approach based on the doctrinal-policy methodology to examine international legal tools, Pakistan climate framework, judiciary trends, and more recent scientific papers. It concludes that Pakistan has elaborated a significant formal policy framework, such as the Climate Change Act 2017, Updated National Climate Change Policy 2021, National Adaptation Plan 2023 and updated NDCs, but this has been poorly, sporadically, and inadequately implemented. The article suggests integrated, accountable and justice-focused climate governance.

Keywords: Climate change, Human rights, Climate security, Pakistan, Climate justice.