Climate and energy transition reporting in Peninsular Malaysia's mainstream news media. A report by Lensa Iklim programme and initiative by Klima Action Malaysia - KAMY, supported by European Climate Foundation. Women, Gender and Climate Governance in Peninsular Malaysia Download Here

Climate and energy transition reporting in Peninsular Malaysia's mainstream news media. A report by Lensa Iklim programme and initiative by Klima Action Malaysia - KAMY, supported by European Climate Foundation. JET-BHR IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA Towards a just energy transition with business and human rights principles Download Here Why this matters now Malaysia stands at a crucial crossroads in its energy transition journey. We face a critical challenge: how to transform our energy systems without perpetuating historical injustices or creating new ones. The timing is critical to ensure our energy transition not only reduces emissions but also protects and empowers rakyat. This is not just about switching energy sources; it's about dismantling systems of exploitation and ensuring the benefits of clean energy reach everyone, not just those with power and capital. About this report This report examines Malaysia's energy transition through the lens of business and human rights, guided by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and ILO's Guidelines for a Just Transition. Through research and engagement with stakeholders across government, business, civil society, and affected communities in Peninsular Malaysia, we identify gaps and provide actionable recommendations to protect workers, Indigenous peoples, women, and vulnerable communities. Our goal is to ensure Malaysia's energy transition not only achieves its climate targets but does so in a way that is just, inclusive, and equitable for all. Critical Insights: What's At Stake "The economy must be reimagined beyond traditional GDP growth and quantitative targets. The challenge is moving away from a profit-centric view to a long-term perspective" Energy & Economy Malaysia's energy landscape stands at a critical juncture, with fossil fuels dominating nearly 96% of our primary energy supply. While the National Energy Transition Roadmap sets an ambitious target of 70% renewable energy capacity by 2050 and plans to implement carbon tax by 2026, fundamental concerns remain. As one environmental policy advocate notes: "The economy must be reimagined beyond traditional GDP growth and quantitative targets. The challenge is moving away from a profit-centric view to a long-term perspective." Labour & Safety The transition to renewable energy promises significant job creation, with projections reaching 310,000 jobs by 2050. However, serious concerns about worker safety and rights are emerging. These challenges extend beyond safety to fundamental labor rights. "For rooftop solar installers, there are situations during heat waves where workers had to work in 'shoe-melting temperatures,'" "If your sector has a high risk for forced labour, and your transition is not properly mapped, you are going to go from the frying pan into the fire." "There is also no visibility for women in the STEM field due to the perception of their inability to work in this field," "It is difficult to report discrimination because most of the time, the perpetrator will just gaslight women by saying there is no proof of discrimination" Gender & Inclusion The energy transition reflects broader gender disparities in Malaysian society. Women's labor force participation remains significantly lower at 56.2% compared to 83% for men, while their representation in parliament stands at just 15%. These systemic barriers are particularly evident in the energy sector. The challenges women face are deeply rooted in workplace culture: "It is difficult to report discrimination because most of the time, the perpetrator will just gaslight women by saying there is no proof of discrimination," shares a women's rights advocate. Read more from the report Download Here Report Roadmap This roadmap provides a structured guide to achieving a just energy transition through the lens of Business and Human Rights. Following the UN Guiding Principles' three pillars - Protect, Respect, and Remedy - we break down complex policy areas into clear, actionable recommendations for both government and business stakeholders. The roadmap shows how different sectors, from state institutions to corporate entities, can contribute to ensuring a just and inclusive transition for all Malaysians. Curated and designed by Aroe Ajoeni

Voice and Visibility Climate Journalism Program in Malaysia Mission Increase the capacity of journalists and the newsmedia sector, and the newsroom Peninsular Malaysia on climate crisis specific to the energy sector and "Just Transition" More info Program ini disokong oleh European Climate Foundation dan akan bermula pada March 2022

We need to reclaim the people's narrative and hold Malaysian parent companies taking advantage of corrupt structures in Indonesia accountable. Advocacy in populating correct information about the origin of haze can fortify actions for an impactful and meaningful outcome. The haze is a climate and a public health crisis, and unless the people take steps to address this, the cycle will get worse as a stronger El Nino is predicted in 2020. Tangible policy action is inadequate as people on the ground are building more emergency shelters to protect them from the haze. Reclaim the people's narrative on transboundary haze crisis Haze Workshops Humanizing Haze Infographics and videos from the ground #HazeStories Reports - survey and data collection Update Demands & Petitions ( local and regional ) Push for public consultation on the Transboundary Haze Act, whereby the public may access the Act draft and provide feedback. Documentary Screening Panel Discussion MEDIA STATEMENT CERAH Asia with KAMY on the issue of shelving the tabling of the Malaysian Transboundary Haze Act Click here to read the PDF ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. Cooperation Partners Greenpeace Malaysia Walhi Indonesia Ranuwelum Foundation Kalimantan Youth Act CERAH Asia Sahabat Alam Malaysia NewNaratif Academics Health Practitioners Politicians Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)

#MY CLIMATE STRIKE Coming Soon Latest Want to start your own campaign? KAMY Resources CLIMATE CRISIS is no longer a foreseeable future. It is a reality that MALAYSIA is experiencing, and it is at a critical stage. This is a climate emergency. Malaysia's air quality exceeds the API 150 scale, a long-term threat to human health. The haze crisis associated with global warming is one of the effects of climate change, and it knows no human boundaries. Malaysia will not survive this crisis. ENVIRONMENTAL PROVISIONS related to CLIMATE CRISIS should be taken seriously for Malaysia's socio-economic and political survival in the future. Watch out! We have another 10 years before a temperature rise of 1.5 ° C, a level that will result in irreversible damage. This is the greatest existential crisis of mankind. Come down to defend the right to freedom of expression of the ENVIRONMENT by irresponsible people and to bring down the quality of life, the destruction of wildlife and ecosystem as well as the death of Malaysians and the extinction of wildlife! KAMY urges all parties to speak out and respond to environmental destruction as a result of stakeholder greed. With the dying state of EARTH, your support is the PULSE of this movement. Click to read #MYCLIMATESTRIKE September 2019 statement #MYCLIMATESTIKE - Terkini Langgani surat berita KAMY ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. Latest Coming Soon ? Tiada aktiviti akan datang buat masa ini... #MYCLIMATESTRIKE - Akan datang

>> FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE >> PENYATAAN RASMI #MYCLIMATESTRIKE #MYCLIMATESTRIKE 21 September 2019 Berarak dari Sogo ke Dataran Merdeka #MYClimateStrike - PROTEST UNTUK BUMI mempunyai 4 tujuan: Tingkatkan kesedaran awam tentang krisis iklim di Malaysia. Tingkatkan visibiliti krisis iklim dan naratif dari negara membangun - ‘the global south’ ; fokus terhadap Asia Tenggara dan Malaysia sempena minggu #GlobalClimateStrike Pecahkan dinding pasif politik dan media Malaysia mengenai krisis iklim yang kita hadapi. Gesa pengisytiharan DARURAT IKLIM untuk mobilisasi dana dan polisi membendung krisis iklim KRISIS IKLIM bukan lagi satu ramalan yang akan berlaku di masa hadapan. Ia adalah satu realiti yang sedang MALAYSIA alami, dan ianya di tahap kritikal. Kualiti udara Malaysia berada di lebih dari skala 150 API, satu tahap berbahaya kepada kesihatan manusia untuk jangka masa panjang. Krisis jerebu yang berkait rapat dengan peningkatan suhu bumi dan ketamakan kapitalis jerebu adalah satu kitaran krisis iklim, dan ia tidak mengenal sempadan manusia. Malaysia tidak akan terselamat dari bahana krisis ini. KEMUSNAHAN ALAM SEKITAR yang berkait lansung dengan KRISIS IKLIM ini perlu diambil serius untuk survival sosio-ekonomi dan politik Malaysia di masa hadapan. AWAS ! Kita punyai 11 tahun lagi sebelum kenaikan suhu sebanyak 1.5°C, satu tahap yang akan mengakibatkan ' irreversible damage' atau situasi yang tidak boleh dibaikpulih. Ini adalah krisis eksistensial terbesar manusia. Turun untuk mempertahankan hak kebebasan bersuara tentang KEMUSNAHAN ALAM SEKITAR oleh pihak yang tidak bertanggungjawab dan mengakibatkan turunnya kualiti hidup, kemusnahan habitat liar dan fungsi ekosistem dan juga kematian rakyat malaysia dan kepupusan hidupan liar ! KAMY menggesa semua pihak untuk bersuara dan bertindak mengatasi kemusnahan alam sekitar akibat ketamakan pihak berkepentingan.Dengan keadaan BUMI yang semakin nazak, sokongan anda adalah NADI kepada pergerakan ini. ALAM SEKITAR MILIK SEMUA UDARA DAN AIR BERSIH ADALAH HAK ASASI MANUSIA Facebook event page PROTES UNTUK BUMI #DARURATIKLIM TUNTUT PERUBAHAN SISTEM kapitalis jerebu dan alam sekitar yang mengancam keselamatan dan masa depan rakyat Malaysia #SiasatDakwa Sempadan negara ialah ciptaan manusia KRISIS IKLIM tidak mengenal sempadan Kita tuntut keadilan di #MYCLIMATESTRIKE TUNTUTAN KAMY Muat turun Ahli Parlimen dan Menteri mengambil isu perubahan iklim sebagai satu krisis dan isytihar DARURAT IKLIM Perubahan yang adil ke arah ekonomi rendah karbon yang mampan Perketatkan undang-undang alam sekitar dan penguatkuasaan Akses kepada data yang telus, dan lebih akauntabiliti dan integriti daripada kerajaan pusat dan negeri Prioriti terhadap adaptasi yang berdasarkan ekosistem dan alam semulajadi untuk menangani kesan perubahan iklim Sistem penggunaan tanah mampan yang mengutamakan alam sekitar dan manusia (Manusia dan Alam Sekitar sebelum Keuntungan) Keadilan dalam pengagihan polisi bagi Orang Asli dalam urusan hak milik tanah berdasarkan FPIC, 'Free Prior Informed Consent' Masyarakat celik dan sedar tentang perubahan iklim Kemampanan dan daya tahan iklim sebagai prasyarat untuk kelulusan projek infrastruktur English Mandarin PAUTAN PENTING FLYERS OPS DARURAT IKLIM SIAPA KAMY LAMAN MEDIA SOSIAL FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM #HASHTAG #MYCLIMATESTRIKE #GLOBALCLIMATESTRIKE #ISYTIHARDARURATIKLIM #CLIMATEEMERGENCY #KUASAKEPADARAKYAT #ASIA4CLIMATE MARI BERTINDAK ! KOLABORASI Krisis perubahan Iklim ialah satu cabang multidisiplin yang melibatkan pelbagai latar belakang. Sebarang ide ide atau kolaborasi amat dialu alukan. INFO REBEL KAMY Jadi sukarelawan projek dan kempen INFO BERI SUMBANGAN Solidariti untuk KAMY INFO

Rang Undang-Undang Perubahan Iklim Negara -RUUPIN Rakyat's Input is Critical to Shape the Climate Change Act that we need Site last updated on 21 November 2024 (11 AM GMT+8) What's RUUPIN? Why now? Resources & Downloads Read Submissions Here Ruupin Feedback Tracker *Latest Update* RUUPIN Feedback Submissions by KAMY Submission #1 by Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY) Download Here Submission #3 Rang Undang-Undang Perubahan Iklim Negara (RUUPIN) Feedback Submission from the perspective and needs of upholding Children and Youth’s Rights obligations compiled and analysed by Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY) through a virtual youth consultation. Besides Girl Guide members, the consultation also engaged representatives from: 1. Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY) 2. Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia - National Scouts Association of Malaysia (PPM) 3. Bulan Sabit Merah Malaysia - Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) 4. Students in tertiary education not attached to the youth groups above Download Here Submission #2 Rang Undang-Undang Perubahan Iklim Negara (RUUPIN) Feedback Submission from the perspective and needs of upholding Women’s Rights obligations by Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY) through consultations and surveys with the stakeholders below: 1. Amy Lim Hwei Mian (Independent Consultant) 2. ENGENDER Consultancy 3. Family Frontiers 4. Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY) 5. OKU Rights Matter Project 6. Penang Women's Development Corporation (PWDC) 7. PWD Smart FarmAbility Enterprise | Sdn Bhd 8. SUHAKAM (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) 9. Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) Download Here Downloads and resources RUUPIN Consultation Paper Download Here (BM) Download Here (ENG) Source: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability of Malaysia (NRES) social media channels KAMY One-pager guide for RUUPIN key themes and questions Download Here (BM) Download Here (ENG) Submitting your comments? Here's a template Submit your comments through email to rd.bpi@nres.gov.my and copy (cc) to MYFAProjectRUUPIN@deloitte.com Download Here What's RUUPIN and how does this affect me? What's RUUPIN & how does this affect me? RUUPIN (Rang Undang-Undang Perubahan Iklim Negara) is the proposed Climate Change Act for Malaysia. It aims to establish a legal framework for addressing climate change issues in the country. Like any major legislation, it might affect various aspects of life in Malaysia. While the specific impacts will depend on the final content of the act (that's why our input is critical!), climate policies typically touch on areas such as: Energy and utilities : RUUPIN might influence energy production methods, potentially affecting electricity costs and availability of different energy sources. Transportation and infrastructure : The act could impact public transportation systems, road development, and incentives for low-emission vehicles. Business and industry regulations : New emissions standards or reporting requirements might be introduced, potentially changing how businesses operate. Urban and rural development : RUUPIN could affect building codes, land use planning, and strategies for climate-resilient development in both cities and rural areas. Environmental management : The act might introduce new policies on forest conservation, waste management, or water resource protection. and more... Why does it matter NOW? Why does it matter NOW? After multiple changes in government, Malaysia's Climate Change Act has been postponed repeatedly . We're long overdue for this crucial framework, especially as many countries worldwide have already implemented similar legislation. Malaysia needs to catch up not only to meet international standards and commitments, but more importantly, to protect its people from the increasing impacts of climate change. The climate crisis is intensifying, and we can't afford further delays. Rakyat must be proactive in demanding solutions - we need a climate change act that protects people and the planet, ensures polluters pay for environmental damage, and prioritises people's wellbeing over corporate profits. As Malaysia prepares to chair ASEAN next year , we have a unique opportunity to lead by example. A robust, rights-based climate change act could position Malaysia as a regional leader in climate policy. This is our chance to walk the talk and show our commitment to addressing the climate crisis. The current consultation period is an opportunity for citizens to shape this important legislation. Your voice can influence the act's direction and effectiveness. What can I do? What can I do? If this feels like a lot to process, don't worry. You can follow the guide we've prepared and consider submitting your comments on RUUPIN. Remember, you can do this as an individual or even team up with a group to share your thoughts. Your input matters in shaping this important legislation. This initiative is empowered by The Fund for Global Human Rights [Legal Empowerment Fund]

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TUNTUTAN KAMY BM Mandarin English Muat turun 内阁部长及国会议员把气候变化课题视为一场危机，并宣布环境紧急动议 致力打造可永续发展的低碳排放量经济 加强保护环境的法律与执法 透明化数据与资料，让地方政府与州政府更透明，更负责任 在应对气候变化的后果时，优先选择接近生态系统和自然环境的应对方式 在土地使用方面，优先考量自然环境与人类（人类和自然环境在利润之上） 正义地处理原住民土地问题，并确保原住民的同意是自由的, 自发 的，且是在了解状况的情况下给（Free Prior Informed Consent） 提高社会对气候变化议题的醒觉 在批准基础设施的建设之前以可持续发展和自然环境保护做为先决条件

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council in which each member state (or country) undergoes a peer review of its human rights records every 4.5 years. Other member states provide recommendations to the state under review, and the state under review can decide whether to accept, partially accept or note the recommendations received. Malaysia UPR 4th Cycle COMANGO & KAMY's involvement in the UPR process The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council in which each member state (or country) undergoes a peer review of its human rights records every 4.5 years. Other member states provide recommendations to the state under review, and the state under review can decide whether to accept, partially accept or note the recommendations received. Once the decision regarding the recommendations is made, the state under review will then have till the next UPR cycle to implement these recommendations. How is Malaysia part of this process? To begin, Malaysia compiles its national report, detailing the country's human rights situation and progress made since the last review in 2018. This report serves as a cornerstone for the UPR process Simultaneously, civil society organisations within Malaysia, including local NGOs, submit their own reports. These alternative perspectives provide a comprehensive view of the human rights landscape in the country, complementing or challenging the official government report. This is where COMANGO comes in! COMANGO (Coalition of Malaysian NGOs in the Universal Periodic Review Process) is a key civil society alliance in Malaysia, formed in 2008. It unites various human rights organisations to participate in Malaysia's UPR process. COMANGO plays a vital role by providing alternative reports on the country's human rights situation, ensuring civil society perspectives are heard alongside the government's official report. So....what’s the outcome of the UPR process? Malaysia's 4th UPR cycle outcome Total recommendations: 348 Accept in full = 182 Accept in part = 41 Take note = 125 UPR Outcome Document Recommendations that Malaysia accepted in full (related to climate crisis & Business and Human Rights) : 55.207 Take into consideration the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities in climate change strategies (Timor-Leste) 55.208 Take into account the rights of women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities in climate change adaptation strategies (Viet Nam) 55.209 Take into account the rights of women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities in climate change strategies (United Arab Emirates) 55.210 Incorporate the rights of women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities into climate change strategies (Russian Federation) 55.214 Strengthen its implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, including by expediting the conclusion of its first business and human rights national action plan (Thailand) Source: Outcome Document / Addendum https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/upr/my-index Why does the UPR process matter? The UPR process recognises that climate change affects fundamental human rights including the rights to life, health, food, water, housing, and self-determination. It provides a crucial platform to raise climate-related human rights issues on a global stage. Through the UPR, NGOs can pressure governments to develop effective and inclusive action plans and policies This process encourages collaboration between human rights and environmental groups, promoting a rights-based approach to climate advocacy. Engaging with the UPR can give visibility on the realities and experiences on the ground and provides a platform for CSOs to hold governments accountable The current UPR cycle's timing, coinciding with CEDAW, creates an opportunity for developing a rights based advocacy for climate and environment. How can this help your advocacy? 1. Integrate human rights into climate policies Environmental groups can use Malaysia's adopted UPR recommendations when engaging in processes like the National Adaptation Plan and Climate Change Act. This approach ensures climate-related policies incorporate a rights-based perspective. 2. Collaborate with KAMY / COMANGO We encourage environmental and human rights organisations to engage with us and actively participate in UPR implementation processes. This collaboration strengthens the advocacy of environmental rights. 3. Foster intersectionality The UPR process provides a unique opportunity to bridge environmental and human rights groups. By working together, these groups can address the intersectional nature of climate change and human rights issues, creating more comprehensive and inclusive solutions. 4. Hold the government accountable UPR outcomes serve as a powerful tool for civil society to monitor and ensure that Malaysia's climate actions align with its international human rights commitments. This accountability mechanism helps maintain focus on both environmental and human rights objectives.

A repository of climate information and stories from the communities on the ground to provide a local climate narrative that is credible and compelling. The data will be a baseline inventory and reference to our climate content creation, reports and other advocacy purposes such as lobbying. #MYClimateStories Collect anecdotes from frontline communities on climate issues they have already seen happening and will get worse, and how it will impact their lives. Communities that are experiencing the deepest effects of climate change must lead conversations on how to mitigate its impact. Run public surveys on climate awareness and analyse data statistically OBJECTIVE Rakan Kerjasama KAMY komuniti sekolah universiti kumpulan krisis iklim yang lain CSOs NGOs ahli akademik dan penyelidik #MYClimateStories Latest ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.

CLIMATE AND ENERGY TRANSITION REPORTING IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA'S MAINSTREAM NEWS MEDIA A report by Lensa Iklim programme and initiative by Klima Action Malaysia - KAMY Supported by European Climate Foundation Climate communication matters According to the IPCC , “averaged over the next 20 years, global temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5°C of warming”. This will result in loss of biodiversity, heat stress, drought, famine, floods and other severe climate impacts. The report further mentions that “human actions still have the potential to determine the future course of climate” which gives us a sliver of hope to take action and provide solutions to mitigate the climate catastrophe. “ Climate stories are criminally underreported in Malaysia ” Has the news media in Peninsular Malaysia c onveyed this information to its readers? One of the main issues that news media houses in Peninsular Malaysia face is the lack of big picture reporting. Climate reporting has focused on events rather than examining root causes, as a result, climate issues are often underreported. ❝ There is a lack of focus on industry and how it affects the ecosystem. For example, Sungai Kim Kim in Johor. The follow-up [by media] was so brief, it barely lasted three weeks," Najmuddin (an editor at NST) says, "and that is an ever-present trend on climate coverage.❞ In Malaysia, most climate news often focuses on disasters, lacking substantial solutions, follow-ups, intersectionality, or preventative measures. News editors interviewed in this report believe climate coverage is "very brief and reactionary" and this is an ongoing trend in their reporting, exemplified in the coverage of recurring floods in Baling, Kedah, where despite persistent coverage, there has been little action or solution to the community's plight. ❝ Linking wider issues, such as food security, transmissible diseases, and even migration to climate change (where clear links can be established) is "critical", says Wong Siew Lyn, co-founder and editor of Macaranga.❞ Why are these issues underreported despite Malaysia being a climate-vulnerable nation? Most news media houses in the Peninsula Malaysia do not have climate or environment desks while most journalists are on general beats. This creates a large gap in expertise and manpower in news rooms, leading to journalists being unable to explore deeper and impactful climate stories. ❝ They may practise an unofficial stance to prioritise these stories, but in reality, “it always depends on resources,” and other subject matters usually take precedence, such as politics and “the bread and butter issues”, according to one editor.❞ Journalists face challenges such as lack of funding and resources, leading to insufficient budgets, tight deadlines, insufficient training, and difficulty finding relevant sources and data. This hinders their ability to cover in-depth, multi-faceted climate stories. ❝ Although journalists can seek media grant funds to pursue climate stories, newsroom pressures may limit their capacity to commit to grant projects fully.❞ Issues of accessibility and availability of official government data on climate and environment, including the shortage of diverse experts to provide insights and education on these topics, are cited as major setbacks for mainstream journalists. ❝ The Star columnist, Dr Milton Lum, found a lack of information available from the government on the effects on climate change in Malaysia. Instead, he used data from NGOs such as the UN, World Bank, Global Forest Watch, and Asian Development Bank, to show how climate change has impacted Malaysia in the last few decades.❞ In this report, we examine the portrayal of key topics in Peninsular Malaysia's climate and energy transition journey. A LOOK AT THE KEY NARRATIVES : Energy Transition in Malaysia Approximately 80% of greenhouse gases come from the energy sector, which is currently dominated by coal and gas. Peninsular Malaysia still relies heavily on coal imports from Indonesia and Australia, but there is a growing trend in the media to shift away from coal due to its high cost of imports (largely due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine) and negative reputation. Yet, the Malaysian government has not set targets to reduce coal usage, and there is inconsistent messaging on retiring coal-fired plants and replacing them with more efficient fuel. The National Energy Policy 2022-2040 did not set clear cut-off targets for coal, but gas definitely got a boost in the policy. Gas media coverage is typically reported in the business sections of media as hard news that features events, launches, and PR announcements by corporations and the government, lacking critical analysis of broader social, environmental, and economic effects of increasing gas usage as a transition fuel. The media covers net zero targets pledged by Malaysian corporations leading to increased media coverage largely uncritical and without examination, but concerns about "greenwashing" are also rising. Some media outlets provide a critical examination of these commitments, including features on greenwashing and interviews with civil society and NGO sources for a nuanced perspective. Renewable Energy The media in Peninsular Malaysia often reports positively on the solar energy transition, but critiques of solar's intermittency and unsuitability to replace coal as baseload energy are common. These pro-solar initiatives may accelerate growth in the industry and energy transition, but "details have yet to be ironed out", such as policies and "low take-up rates of rooftop solar quota among residential consumers and government agencies." The media framed hydropower as a key pillar in raising the country’s renewable capacity by 2040. The Nenggiri Dam especially, has been reported positively in the media. Counterviews on the Nenggiri Dam project have been reported in a small number of articles in main news sections, which present the views of affected Temiar Orang Asli communities, but are largely absent in business pages. Carbon Markets, Climate Finance and Governance The climate finance narrative in Malaysia has increased in recent years, focusing on national institutions and corporate initiatives. Despite a surge in the news before COP27, most coverage was republished from international newswires. Local initiatives for climate adaptation receive limited media coverage compared to the spotlight on mitigation, carbon market mechanisms, and financial instruments dominated by national corporations and regulators to reach Net Zero target. However, the need for transparency and alignment with current adaptation measures is stressed, as some stories view climate financing as a potential avenue for the misappropriation of funds. Reports on carbon pricing across Peninsular Malaysia's news media houses remain limited to examining its advantages and challenges for implementation in Malaysia. Media sources cite carbon tax as a way to reduce emissions and generate revenue for green development but call for more information on how the funds will be utilised. Most news focuses on intensive carbon sectors and financial institutions launching ESG as a pathway to their net-zero goals, while only a few articles recognise the importance of supporting MSMEs in their ESG journey. MSMEs are crucial in the supply chain for larger companies with ESG commitments, employing almost half of the workforce and representing over two-thirds of Malaysia's GDP. Climate Change and Impacts According to the UN “Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns … primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas (for human activities)”. News media in Peninsular Malaysia is increasing its coverage of climate-related topics such as flooding, coastal erosion, food security, ocean governance, and health, but human perspectives are largely missing. Climate impacts severely affect public health and livelihoods, and increase the vulnerability of groups like young children, farmers, Indigenous People, the elderly, women and the disabled community. Climate and UNFCCC Local news media in Peninsular Malaysia, in all languages, mainly republish COP UNFCCC coverage from international news wires and do little original reporting. A commitment to personal action, according to Nadiah Rosli, another CCMP fellow writing about her first COP experience in an op-ed, "also means that every citizen has a responsibility to follow the science of climate change and to monitor the commitments and progress made (and not made) by those in government." Very few news media from Peninsular Malaysia houses have access and funding to these multilateral spaces to report on COP, except for Bernama, the national news wire, having access and primarily covers the activities of Malaysian corporate and institutional delegates. In general, news media reporting on COP26 and COP27 are oriented toward national, corporate, and economic interests, with sparse analysis of human interest stories. Malaysian delegates at these events call for greater climate adaptation and funding, and there are op-eds criticising the role of powerful elites in shaping policy through the UNFCCC. Climate and Parliament The unexpected deluge in December 2021, a rare 1-in-100-year event, caused the destruction of homes, businesses and factories, took more than 54 lives and left an estimated loss of RM6.5 billion. One catastrophic flood disaster has ignited the nation. Yet, less than a year later, the much-maligned "flood polls" of GE15 were underwhelming, with climate and flooding mostly absent from media coverage of political campaigns. The 2022 Climate Change Symposium, which took place on September 5th in Malaysia's Parliament, was a rare and timely event. It might have been a landmark event catalysing a conversation on climate change among policymakers and parliamentarians, but it was poorly covered by the media. Some of the key recommendations across government and news media... Mainstream news media should invest in developing a climate or/and environment desk managed by a specialised editor(s) to enable comprehensive climate/environmental reporting. Stories need to engage with technical issues and connect them with intersectional and wider human angles. The desk would provide dedicated resources for journalists, especially young journalists, to pursue further knowledge, gain technical expertise, and strengthen trust and familiarity with their networks through internal or external funding. The government, through relevant agencies and ministries, could allocate a budget for journalists' training, particularly access and financial resources to multilateral spaces like COP UNFCCC or CBD. Affirmative action in transparency would be to legislate a Freedom to Information Act for good governance. These are just some of the highlights of the report. Read the full length by downloading the report below! We hope this report is used as a source for media houses, policymakers, civil society organisations, and researchers to better understand the climate and energy reporting landscape in Malaysia. Curated by Kucheal Arivalagan Edited by Tessminderjit Kaur and Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar Layout and Design by Bimo Kuncoro Yakti Prasetijo DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT >