Building capacity through co-production in Indonesia and Malaysia to address the climate change communication gap between scientific and lay audiences through journalists project funded by the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR), aimed to address the gap between climate science and public understanding by strengthening the capacity of journalists to communicate climate change accurately, accessibly and effectively in Malaysia and Indonesia. Recognising journalists as important intermediaries between scientific communities and the public, the project sought to improve the translation of complex scientific knowledge into locally relevant stories that inform public understanding and engagement with climate change.
Despite growing recognition of climate change and its impacts, journalists face significant challenges in reporting climate-related issues. These include difficulties accessing reliable and locally relevant scientific evidence, interpreting technical information, communicating uncertainty and risk, and producing compelling stories within newsroom constraints. Linguistic and cultural diversity, alongside differences in media practices and audience needs, further complicates climate communication in both countries.
To address these challenges, the project adopted a co-production approach, bringing together journalists, climate researchers and communication practitioners to identify needs and collaboratively develop practical resources. Through 4 different phases: network forming, identifying capacity gaps and needs, codesigning and delivering the resource bank. Three workshop series held in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Melbourne facilitated knowledge exchange, explored barriers to effective climate reporting, and identified opportunities to strengthen collaboration between scientific experts and media professionals. This participatory approach ensured that the project’s outputs were informed by journalists’ experiences and practical requirements rather than relying solely on conventional, top-down science communication approaches.
A key outcome was the development and launch of the Climate Communication Resource Bank, a digital platform designed to support journalists throughout the climate reporting process, from generating story ideas and identifying credible sources to interpreting evidence and developing engaging narratives. The Resource Bank brings together practical tools, guidance, case studies and other resources relevant to climate science and journalism. Its content addresses areas such as understanding climate science, finding and evaluating evidence, framing stories, interviewing scientific experts, and reporting responsibly on uncertainty and misinformation.
The Resource Bank prioritises accessibility and regional relevance, with resources intended to support journalists working in Malaysia and Indonesia. It is designed as a living platform that can evolve in response to emerging reporting challenges and the changing needs of media practitioners. Future development opportunities include expanding local-language resources, particularly climate terminology and explanations that reflect the linguistic and cultural contexts of both countries.
The project culminated in a final dissemination workshop, Bridging Climate Communication: Lessons and Pathways from Malaysia and Indonesia. The event brought together researchers, journalists and other stakeholders to share project findings, reflect on lessons from the field, discuss the Resource Bank, and identify pathways for sustaining collaboration and capacity building beyond the funding period.
Overall, the project demonstrates the value of co-production in bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and public communication. By connecting researchers with journalists and translating research into practical resources, it contributes to strengthening climate journalism, supporting more informed public understanding of climate risks and solutions, and encouraging evidence-informed public and policy discussions. The project also establishes a foundation for continued regional collaboration and the development of climate communication resources across Southeast Asia.
