Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis of the National Human Rights Institutions in South Asia 24 There is a perceived lack of political will to adopt a human rights-based approach to climate change. HRCM has not been regularly consulted on national policies related to climate adaptation and mitigation, indicating a disconnect between climate policy and human rights considerations. While there is an ongoing engagement with HRDs in general, HRCM has not specifically engaged with individual EHRDs focused on climate change. However, they receive complaints from CSOs about environmental issues. HRCM has made efforts to incorporate gender considerations into reports regarding climate change impacts, recognising that women and marginalised groups are particularly vulnerable to effects of climate change and its consequences. HRCM has also established partnerships with various stakeholders, including CSOs and businesses, focusing on human rights and environmental advocacy. HRCM acknowledges significant capacity gaps in knowledge and resources related to climate change and environmental rights. They express a need for more training and support in this area, emphasising the importance of building staff knowledge and capacity to better understand the intersection of climate change and human rights, especially in the context of the country. National Human Rights Commission, Nepal The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Nepal was established in 2000 as an independent constitutional body and is empowered under the National Human Rights Commission Act.74 Its primary mandate is to protect, promote, and ensure the respect of human rights across the country, in alignment with the Constitution of Nepal and the international human rights treaties to which Nepal is a party. The NHRC investigates allegations of human rights violations, provides recommendations to the government, monitors the state’s compliance with human rights obligations, and promotes human rights awareness through education and advocacy. NHRC Nepal is currently accredited as an “A” status NHRI by GANHRI.75 In the area of climate change mitigation and adaptation, NHRC of Nepal monitors disasters, including climate-related events like floods. NHRC focuses on air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley and mobility issues, particularly displacement, caused by disasters throughout the country. However, they face challenges in directly linking these issues to climate change due to capacity limitations. 74 National Human Rights Commission Act, 2068 (Nepal) 2012. 75 Office of the High Commissioner for Human RIghts (n 66).