Turning vision into action: Advancing the implementation of climate strategies through effective institutions

This text explains that disasters should be understood as complex systems made up of interconnected factors, not just the triggering hazard itself. As climate change, urbanization, and inequality increase disaster risks, societies have also become more dependent on critical infrastructure systems whose failures can create cascading crises. Therefore, disaster risk reduction must focus not only on response but also on deeper understanding, smarter prevention, and rebuilding without reproducing vulnerabilities.

This assessment has four key objectives, which are to: 

• Fill a knowledge gap: To undertake a systematic review of Malaysia’s climate institutional and governance frameworks to identify key challenges and opportunities for reform. 
• Offer benchmarking insights: To assess Malaysia’s position relative to neighboring countries and aspirational peers by analyzing climate institutional data. 
• Shape the policy landscape: To develop policy recommendations and a detailed, actionable roadmap for reform, including supporting inputs for the implementation of the National Climate Change Policy 2.0. 
• Bring a global perspective: To provide a repository of international experiences of institutional innovations relevant for Malaysia, to guide authorities in adopting proposed recommendations.