Empowering National Human Rights Institutions to Advance Rights-Based Climate Action vi Key barriers to effective advocacy include a lack of data on affected communities, insufficient community engagement, and resource constraints. Despite these challenges, NHRIs of Bangladesh and India reported that they play a significant role in shaping climate policy within their respective countries. } Risks, Political Will, and Security Political support for NHRIs varies significantly, with the NHRI of India reporting that they enjoy strong backing, while the NHRI of Maldives reported limited government interest in partnering in this area. Security concerns, including government interference and the risk of retaliation, negatively impact the advocacy capabilities of some NHRIs. Additionally, NHRIs in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan experience moderate political support but encounter challenges in collaboration that hinder their effectiveness. } Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Access to Remedies Four NHRIs actively support environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs), with the NHRI of Bangladesh collaborating with law enforcement to address threats to EHRDs, while the NHRI of India providing various resources and assistance. However, despite recognising the importance of protecting EHRDs, there are inconsistencies in the support and protection mechanisms across different NHRIs, which hampers their overall effectiveness in safeguarding these advocates. } Human Rights and Gender Considerations All NHRIs acknowledge the significance of addressing vulnerable groups in CCMA initiatives, yet the integration of gender considerations is still limited in NHRI practice in this area. The NHRI of Bangladesh emphasises gender-sensitive monitoring, and NHRI of India actively promotes gender equity, while other NHRIs exhibit varying degrees of commitment to gender integration in their climaterelated efforts. } Coordinated Approaches and Collaboration There is a recognised need for coordination among NHRIs, but engagement levels differ widely, with only two NHRIs fully collaborating with relevant stakeholders. Effective collaboration is crucial for adequately addressing human rights issues associated with climate change.