SUARAM’s Human Rights Report 2022 Chapter 10 : The State of Climate Emergency in Malaysia
KAMY authors chapter 10 in SUARAM’s Human Rights Report 2022: Addressing the Climate Emergency and its Human Rights Implications in Malaysia
We are pleased to share that KAMY has authored Chapter 10 in the recently released SUARAM Human Rights Report 2022, which examines pressing human rights issues in Malaysia. Chapter 10 focuses on the state of the climate emergency in the country and its implications for human rights as KAMY actively monitors the human rights impact of the climate crisis and seeks to expand rights-based approaches in Malaysia’s climate governance.
From governance to energy transition, we explore various issues, such as women’s empowerment, UNFCCC negotiation, and responsible business practices. We advocate for the recognition of environmental rights in Malaysia’s constitution, a work in progress #ClimateJustice #HumanRights #Malaysia
The chapter underscores the urgency of addressing climate change in Malaysia using the environmental rights framework set by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and the Environment. It begins with a baseline on Malaysia’s international climate change obligations, governance structure, and key actions and targets. With this context in place, the chapter analyses the country’s right-to-development rationale, emphasising neoliberal policies of extractivism, maladaptation, and false solutions that challenge progress on responsible and equitable approaches to development.
Expanding upon this groundwork, the chapter spotlights human rights issues in mega projects such as coastal reclamation and forest plantation. It examines the pitfalls of Malaysia’s energy transition for a Net-Zero 2050 through reliance on fossil gas, large hydro, carbon capture and storage, and rare earth element mining.
The report further discusses carbon pricing, disaster risk reduction, gender and women’s empowerment, and Malaysia’s participation in climate negotiations at the UNFCCC. It concludes with a focus on the business conduct of government and non-state actors on ESG, disclosure and due diligence reporting, and the risks associated with trending greenwashing.
As the author of Chapter 10, KAMY are proud to have contributed to this vital report, which brings much-needed attention to the escalating conflict emerging from the intersection of the climate crisis and human rights. As we face the triple planetary crisis; in climate, pollution and biodiversity, it is imperative to adopt a rights-based approach and hold government and non-state actors accountable for their actions.
You can download the report below
