By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Sept 19 — Selangor’s newly-established climate change agency will rely on science and data-driven solutions to mitigate against climate threats, said state executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin.
She said the Selangor Climate Adaptation Centre (SCAC) is part of the state’s efforts to streamline policies and action plans on sustainable economic growth, renewable energy expansion, and climate financing efforts such as carbon markets.
“These initiatives can generate revenue for adaptation efforts for the benefit of Selangor folk in the long term,” she toldThe Star.
Jamaliah said the SCAC will also strengthen collaborations with international organisations, including the Malaysia Industry-Government Group for High Technology and the United Nations Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei.
The partnerships may open up access to funding under the Global Environment Facility’s Sustainable Cities Integrated Programme and offer green incentives for small and medium enterprises.
SCAC executive director Daniel Lee said the centre’s work would be guided by both short- and long-term studies on climate risks and vulnerabilities, enabling the state to prioritise high-risk areas such as flood-prone zones.
He stressed that new development plans should allocate at least 30 per cent for green spaces and parks, which can double as water retention areas.
He also highlighted SCAC’s role in data collection, citing partnerships with the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (Nahrim) to provide localised climate data for drainage and infrastructure planning.
Lee acknowledged that some landowners might resist adaptation initiatives but said continued engagement is needed to encourage cooperation.
The SCAC, launched in May, is chaired by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari and includes representatives from state departments, agencies, academia, and climate experts, who are tasked with ensuring a coordinated response to climate change.
Prior to its launch, Amirudin had often stressed the importance of establishing SCAC as a means to mitigate climate threats in the state, which suffered episodes of major floods.
The most devastating in recent memory include the catastrophic floods in December 2021 that inundated 29 locations across Selangor, with Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam among the worst hit.
Environmental research has also warned that rising sea levels could submerge Port Klang, the state’s trading hub, by the year 2100 if left unchecked.
