PETALING JAYA: The proposed National Climate Change Bill (RUU PIN) will provide a comprehensive legal framework balancing both climate mitigation and adaptation, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry said on Thursday (Sept 10).
Responding to recent feedback calling for greater priority on climate adaptation, the ministry, in a statement, clarified that the upcoming bill is designed to function within an interconnected governance ecosystem rather than as a standalone policy.
It said that the legislation will complement, not replace, existing government policies, action plans, and strategies, with adaptation forming a core part of its statutory action framework.
It said that under the proposed law, a climate risk and vulnerability-based approach will be introduced to systematically identify and manage risks across various sectors.
The ministry said these efforts will feed into the National Adaptation Plan (MyNAP) to strengthen Malaysia's resilience against severe weather, flooding, rising sea levels, and coastal erosion. Additionally, the bill will establish a dedicated Climate Change Fund to support financial commitments for both adaptation initiatives and carbon reduction measures.
The ministry emphasised that mitigation and adaptation must be pursued simultaneously. While adaptation protects communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems from immediate climate threats, robust mitigation efforts are essential to maintain economic competitiveness.
It added that clear legal mechanisms for emissions reporting and carbon market development will ensure local industries adapt to global standards while continuing to attract high-quality investments.
Given that climate impacts cut across multiple sectors, the ministry underscored the need for seamless coordination among federal, state, and local authorities, as well as private sector stakeholders and civil society, to successfully translate national policies into effective action on the ground.
