Management of Climate Change and Disaster Risk: The Malaysian Perspective

Abstract

Interactions between the climate change and disaster management communities in Malaysia have brought about significant progress in recent years. With the anticipation of increasing and changing nature of disaster risks due to climate change, the need for a holistic and integrated approach to climate and disaster management is recognised at the policy and institutional levels. As the top–down initiatives are progressing, local level studies, including case-specific research areas are being pursued to provide bottom-up inputs in laying adaptation roadmaps for national and sector-specific responses to mainstream climatic hazards. Future bridging of the climate change and disaster management communities in the country through the institutional and research platforms would require addressing several issues. Considering the uncertainty within climate projection, examining the biophysical sensitivity under exposure of projected future climates may be inadequate in gaining insight into their current adaptive capacity, and whether such adaptability will transform or facilitate actual adaptation in the future. As more adaptation initiatives will be implemented in the future, it is important to ensure adaptive capacity is drawn upon and translated into action by identifying and removing barriers to ensure successful adaptation. The provision of appropriate and easily understood information regarding vulnerable areas in the future will aid local stakeholders in making decisions that could incorporate elements of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.