The climate crisis represents not only an environmental emergency but a fundamental challenge to global governance, human security, and collective responsibility. Our Duty of Care examines how existing international frameworks have fallen short in delivering coordinated and effective climate action, despite decades of agreements under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Framing climate change as part of a broader “triple crisis” of environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and systemic inequality, the paper argues that protecting vulnerable populations requires a redefinition of global responsibility rooted in human rights, dignity, and shared obligation.
The paper introduces a new social contract grounded in the principles of Human Security and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), extending these doctrines beyond conflict to address climate-related risks. It explores how international legal frameworks, UN institutions, and peacebuilding mechanisms can be adapted to support inclusive climate resilience, emphasizing the need for coordinated funding, implementation, and enforcement. A central proposal is the establishment of a United Nations Climate Resilience Agency (UNCRA), designed to operationalize climate agreements, align global efforts, and bridge the gap between policy commitments and execution. The analysis further integrates considerations of gender equity, social justice, and community participation, highlighting how climate impacts disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and require inclusive, system-wide responses.
The paper outlines a comprehensive agenda for advancing climate resilience through institutional reform, cross-sector collaboration, and global coordination. It calls for the application of R2P principles to climate governance, the mobilization of sustainable financing mechanisms, and the integration of public and private sector capabilities to support implementation. Ultimately, the paper positions inclusive climate resilience as a collective duty of care—requiring a unified global response that aligns legal frameworks, technological innovation, and societal action to protect both people and the planet.
