National Climate Change Policy : Recommendations on Improving Response Strategies

Climate change is emerging as a major concern for countries around the world with its effects on Malaysia including increases in heavy rainfall, floods and more frequent extreme weather. The occurrence of Typhon in 2013 and flooding events point to serious concerns over nationally and preparedness to tackle climate change problems. In 2009 Malaysia assigned at United Nations Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen to see her carbon emissions intensity by 40% from the 2005 levels by 2020. Her its Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) ranking has shown no implement since then. Malaysia's ranking has remained at the bottom 20% in CCPI with the latest ranking at 55 out of 61. The CCPI looks at renewal energy and efficiency, among others. The CCPI 2013 had Malaysia rated at any poor with scores among the worst of ASEAN countries and behind India, China, Japan and South Korea. Integration of climate information and effective response strategies into national policies is important as climate in increasingly becoming a major driving force for many related economic activities at the national level. Climate information has however, not always be easily understood and adequately factored into the sectors of the country's economy including government development policies and plans in the maritime sector. This study recommends for robust measures to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change through improved understanding of the global climate change negotiations process, international agreements, policies and processes, the position Malaysia needs to take to maximise beneficial outcomes from these negotiations process, international agreements, policies and processes, the position Malaysia needs to take to maximise beneficial outcomes from these negotiations, adoption of adaptation and capacity and avenues for technology transfer, producing a conducive and enabling policy, legal and institutional framework, as well as adopting concerted action and resource mobilisation strategies and robust monitoring evaluation plan s towards an improved national climate change policy. It is however crucial that these recommendations are backed by effective decision support and relevant science for management policy.