Is Malaysia prepared for the impact of climate change on migration and food insecurity?
Not all countries are created equal. Climate change will likely affect Southeast Asian countries sooner and harder than other parts of the world. The region is already witnessing increased floods and droughts and faces the prospect of rising sea levels that can devastate it. Two significant areas of concern for Malaysia are the impact of climate change on migration and food insecurity. People escaping environmental upheaval in their homeland may seek refuge in Malaysia. Furthermore, Malaysia may have to deal with food poverty of its own, caused by shifting climate patterns.
It is crucial for Malaysia to be prepared and forearm itself against foreseeable dangers.
Impact of climate change on migration
The climate refugee concept was defined in 1985 by the UNEP expert Essam El-Hinnawi as people who have been “forced to leave their traditional habitat, temporarily or permanently, because of marked environmental disruption.”
Imagine a farmer whose land stops yielding crops, and the area faces extreme weather events. There is no work in the entire village, and the local economy is devastated. Most people have gone to the cities to find work but have failed to find some. Conditions like this create a perfect storm for mass migration of people to neighbouring countries seeking a livelihood.
According to the Migration Data Portal, an average of 23.78 million people have become environmental refugees every year in the past ten years. Experts at the Institute of Economics and Peace predict that the number of climate refugees may rise to 1.2 billion by 2050.
Whilst most displacements due to climate change or natural disasters occur internally, some migrants seek out other countries they perceive as safer or with better opportunities. This possible migration to neighbouring countries makes Malaysia’s situation especially delicate. Indonesia and the Philippines are some of the most vulnerable countries in the world, meaning Malaysia needs to prepare itself for hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals seeking shelter and work in the coming years.
Food poverty in Malaysia
According to the Global Hunger Index in 2023, Malaysia is currently faring well on the hunger scale, ranking 59th globally. With a score of 12.5, the country only faces moderate hunger levels. However, this score was up slightly from 12.0 in 2015, showing that this is a growing concern.
While historical reasons for food insecurity in Malaysia have been mainly economic, climate change poses a new threat to an already difficult situation.
Climate change and food security are closely interconnected. Factors such as rainfall, soil quality, drought, flood, plant disease, etc., severely impact food production. For example, a 1-degree rise in temperature can lower rice yields by 10%. Extreme weather events are likely to reduce rice yields by over 30% by 2032.
It may not be surprising that the country's already vulnerable demographics are bearing the brunt of food poverty in Malaysia. The most vulnerable groups live in Sabah and Kelantan, where the local economy relies heavily on agriculture. These farmers are already facing ever-reducing incomes due to disruption to climate patterns.
Assessing Malaysia’s humanitarian policies and readiness
Climate migration
Currently, Malaysia does not provide any legal protection to undocumented immigrants of any kind. The law does not recognise climate refugees or provide any pathway for assimilation into the country.
Refugees in Malaysia have no right to work, no right to access healthcare, and no other rights granted to citizens. Illegal immigrants can be detained indefinitely by the authorities with no recourse.
Unfortunately, there is no international treaty that governs the rights of climate refugees. In such an absence, Malaysian authorities can consider relying on international humanitarian policies such as the 1951 Refugee Convention and other regional instruments insofar as they can be applied to climate-related displacement to reduce the impact of climate change on migration.
Food security
The National Agrofood Policy (NAP) provides the current framework for ensuring food security in Malaysia. This policy has been in effect since 2021 and will last until 2030. The action plan considers environmental factors, particularly focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by the agricultural sector, managing fish stocks, and maintaining biodiversity.
While the NAP lays much groundwork, a few recommendations that can enhance national policy include improving sustainable domestic food production and shaping the demand and consumption of food according to national needs.
Governmental initiatives to increase food security
The NAP covers six policy objectives supported by five broad policies, 21 strategies, and 77 action plans. Various governmental departments and agencies will undertake these food security initiatives over a period of 10 years up to 2030. The action plans also consider the impact of climate change on food supply.
The government is working on improving its self-sufficiency levels to lower its reliance on food imports while also ensuring that domestic agricultural practices are sustainable.
Furthermore, the government has also focused on R&D initiatives crucial to improving smart agricultural practices. This includes a wide array of initiatives, such as optimising farm size for productivity, using the latest machinery, and digitising the value chain.
Community engagement efforts
Several community engagement efforts are underway in Malaysia to address various issues.
Mental health of refugees
Health Equity Initiative (an NGO) strives to improve the mental health of refugees within Malaysia’s borders by helping refugees located within Klang Valley through various mental health programmes.
Protecting coral reefs
Fishing is a key livelihood in Malaysia, and climate disruption may threaten it in the future. Fish stock management is essential to the government’s food security initiatives.
A study has found that community participation has helped improve the coral reef ecosystem around Malaysia, which can help sustain future fishing endeavours and tourism in the area.
The role of ESG reporting
Bursa Malaysia has notified new ESG-related disclosure requirements that align with international best practices. Listed companies in Malaysia have to report their ESG-related activities against a set of factors laid out in the framework. SMEs will soon be required to provide ESG disclosures, with Capital Markets Malaysia introducing the Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide (SEDG) to help them comply with the new regulations.
These measures aim to improve accountability and boost investor confidence while making businesses more sustainable.
Some key metrics of the disclosure norms include emissions, water, waste management, and community/society. Companies that take positive steps towards bettering these indicators can help alleviate the impact of climate change on migration and help position the country on a pathway to food security.
While ESG disclosures are vastly beneficial for environmental protection and human rights, they can be complex to navigate for a business of any size. Companies needing to comply with disclosures can use a software platform like MyGreenlight, specifically designed to streamline and simplify this process for businesses of all sizes.
Our platform provides step-by-step guidance that ensures you complete and present your reports with the highest levels of accuracy. MyGreenlight allows you to focus on operations while we assist with the disclosures.
Solving any large-scale issue can be highly complex and challenging. Global warming and climate change are the most urgent, significant and complex issues humankind has historically faced.
While Malaysia has begun taking steps toward realising a sustainable future, much work remains. Both food security and climate displacement will likely be ongoing issues for Malaysia over the following decades.
Proactive preparedness can help alleviate climate change's negative impact on migration and food security in the country and the region.
Companies should consider partnering with sustainability experts, such as our partner StratX Advisory, to help with strategic growth over the long term. Leveraging new-age technology, such as MyGreenlight for ESG reporting, can help companies manage their growing responsibilities towards a sustainable future.
Contact us to learn how we can make your ESG reporting journey smoother and more affordable.
