The Urgent Need to Apply Climate Lens in Environmental Management

There is a need to immediately implement measures to build back better from the pandemic while putting on the climate lens, be it in climate mitigation or adaptation. The Malaysian government must acknowledge and declare a national climate emergency and treat it as such at all policy, governance, and institutional levels across agencies. Actions to be taken include formulating laws and regulations that impose low-carbon development and transportation, prevent further deforestation and ensure food security to name a few. There is a need to ramp up national budget allocations for effective implementations and enforcement of climate-related actions. This must be done in an inclusive manner with true multi-stakeholder participation and representations, especially with the indigenous and vulnerable communities. In addition, a holistic approach towards public awareness should include environmental education as a component in the school curriculum and increased coverage on climate change issues by mainstream media outlets.