Role of Local Level Stakeholders in Adapting to Emerging Natech Risks Due to Climate Change in the Selangor River Basin, Malaysia

Abstract

Climate change has been linked to the aggravation of environmental degradation but adaptation measures to address local emerging issues are limited. Developing countries with growing industrial activities may be especially vulnerable to emerging pollution risk due to climate change. This paper investigates adaptation plans and the role of local stakeholders in addressing industrial pollution under the impacts of climate change. National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) submitted by selected countries in the Asia Pacific to the UNFCCC were initially analysed to determine the status of local-level measures. This was followed by semi-structured interviews with stakeholders exposed to floods and coastal inundation in an industrial area of the Selangor River Basin, Malaysia, to determine preparedness towards emerging risks. The findings revealed that NAPs do not explicitly address adaptation towards emerging risks of industrial pollution due to climate change. However, there are several potential entry points that can be used to incorporate this dimension. Interviews with stakeholders in a small coastal industrial area within the Selangor River Basin established that although 30% of the respondents have already been affected by floods or coastal inundation, less than 10% are prepared for emerging risks. This study provides insights for formulating local-level adaptation strategies to emerging climate and pollution risks, especially in developing nations with limited resources and capacity.