Image Source: Terence Wong/AP, Article from Reuters
Opinion piece by Celine Ng | July 31, 2024
Climate-related hazards such as deluge rains, flash floods, rising sea levels, heatwaves, droughts, landslides, and wildfires have significantly worsened the climate crisis in recent years. These disaster risks are projected to increase as climate and population patterns evolve.
This article explores the perspectives of multiple stakeholders on disaster management and examines adaptation interventions and their effects on vulnerable communities and sectors in response to disaster. It highlights the importance of risk assessment, innovative technologies, public awareness, and collaborative approaches to strengthen business resilience and disaster preparedness through systemic approaches.
Response: Are We Well Prepared for More Climate-Related Hazards?
In mid-December 2021, Malaysia experienced its heaviest rainfall in a century, leading to severe flooding in eight states, including Selangor. The disaster left almost 50 fatalities, forced the evacuation of about 400,000 individuals, and resulted in an estimated RM6.1 billion in financial losses. The aftermath included traffic congestion, supply chain disruptions, and infrastructure damages that impacted socio-economic activities. The urgency to implement robust climate adaptation and risk mitigation measures has never been more apparent.
The question often pondered is, who is responsible for reducing risks to individuals and families from natural hazards? Is it solely the government’s responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the people? Research suggests a need for collaborative efforts to amplify government initiatives and ensure community resilience after natural disasters.
Evidence: The Need to Bounce Forward
Since November 2022, in conjunction with the Selangor Climate Change Policy, the state government has been developing “Local Climate Resilience Action Plans” for three areas: Kuala Selangor Municipal Council (MPKS) for coastal areas, Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) for river alluvial plains, and Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) for highlands. Additionally, the Selangor State government is pioneering Malaysia’s first state-level climate resilience policy document.
Recently, the state co-delivered its first climate resilience and equity workshop with the Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative (SEADPRI-UKM) and Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSD) Malaysia. The workshop, which included approximately 50 participants from local government, NGOs, academic institutions, and local businesses, marked a significant step toward strengthening climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. This initiative aims to initiate dialogues on large-scale disaster management measures, from building disaster-resilient infrastructure to identifying community vulnerabilities at a granular level.
Climate Resilience and Equity Workshop (20 June 2024)
The disaster management cycle—prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery—promotes practices and accommodates practitioners with multi-disciplinary backgrounds. However, it was recorded that almost 90% of agencies focus on the response phase, and almost 60% on the preparedness phase, leaving only 30% or less for involvement in other phases of disaster risk management. It became evident that the cornerstone of effective climate resilience policy is by establishing a systemic approach that addresses the crucial linkages between issues typically treated separately within different specializations and institutional silos.
Insights: How Far Are We at Climate Adaptability, Resilience, and Equity?
Climate equity is defined as balancing access to key resources while protecting vulnerable communities from environmental hazards, regardless of race, income, or other characteristics. Emphasizing climate equity and the principle of “leaving no one behind” is crucial, though communities experience disproportionate impacts from climate-related hazards.
During the Climate Resilience and Equity Workshop conducted last June, a key takeaway was the importance of “bouncing forward” (preparedness) rather than merely “bouncing back” (response). This approach requires all levels of society to be well-prepared for upcoming climate-related hazards. The conversation highlighted the need to optimize resources, expertise, and information sharing by leveraging citizen science, technology, and innovative approaches.
Jamie Powers, Climate Protection Project Manager, Albemarle County
Achieving equitable outcomes requires recognizing vulnerable communities in policy- and decision-making processes. Groups such as migrants, refugees, daily wage earners, and informal workers were identified as requiring further interventions to address climate adaptation needs. Overcoming language barriers is crucial to ensure everyone can make informed decisions, enhancing community readiness. Nature-based solutions were spotlighted for their importance in biodiversity conservation, ecosystem resilience, and sustainability. Environmental health and human health are interconnected, justifying the need for a centralized planetary and one health vision for global health.
Limitations: How Can We Do Better?
1. Climate Finance: Adaptation and Resilience
While climate mitigation and adaptation solutions have been implemented at community, national, and regional scales, sustainability and continuity remain concerns. Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) projects in forest and agricultural landscapes require significant financial resources. Recent discussions at the COP29-IEA roundtable highlighted the urgent need for increased climate finance to support global resilience efforts. More involvement of marginalized groups is required to improve the use of climate finance.
2. Improved Awareness: Innovative Pathways for Enhanced Social and Environmental Benefits and Positive Economic Gains
From a business perspective, identifying underlying climate-related physical risks is crucial for better coping mechanisms and delivering productive adaptation measures throughout value chains and global operations. Financial institutions, including banks, insurers, and takaful operators, can enable business efforts to manage climate-related hazards. Increasing awareness and education about climate risks and resilience is vital for unlocking resources. Emphasizing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria and innovative finance mechanisms can attract private sector investment into climate adaptation and resilience projects. By fostering a culture of sustainability and resilience, businesses and communities can better prepare for and adapt to future climate challenges.
In conclusion, enhancing climate resilience and equity requires a multifaceted approach involving state leadership, effective community engagement, optimized resource use, infrastructure resilience, and substantial climate finance. By bouncing forward and leveraging opportunities to build back better, societies can reinforce their adaptability to an increasingly unpredictable climate.
Reference:
- Asian Development Bank (ADB), 2022. Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure: Unlocking Opportunities for Asia and the Pacific. Available at: https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/791151/disaster-resilient-infrastructure-opportunities-asia-pacific.pdf
- Chong, N.O. and Kamarudin, K.H., 2018. Disaster risk management in Malaysia: Issues and challenges from the persepctive of agencies. Planning Malaysia, 16. http://dx.doi.org/10.21837/pmjournal.v16.i5.415
- Muhamad, N., & Shaidin, H. A., 2022. Assessment of Flood Events in Selangor, Malaysia. Journal of Advanced Geospatial Science & Technology, 2(2), 42–55. Retrieved from https://jagst.utm.my/index.php/jagst/article/view/40
- Rahman, S., 2022. Malaysia’s floods of December 2021: Can future disasters be avoided?. ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Avaialble at: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/ISEAS_Perspective_2022_26.pdf
- World Bank Group & Bank Negara Malaysia, 2024. Managing Flood Risks: Leveraging Finance for Business Resilience in Malaysia. Available at: https://www.bnm.gov.my/documents/20124/3770663/wb-bnm-flood-risks24.pdf
- World Business Councils for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), 2019. Business Climate Resilience Thriving Through the Transformation. Available at: https://docs.wbcsd.org/2019/09/WBCSD_Business-Climate-Resilience.pdf
