Behaviour Determinants of Individual Intentions for Climate Change Adaptation in Klang Valley, Selangor

Climate change poses increasing environmental, social, and economic challenges, particularly in highly urbanised regions such as the Klang Valley, Malaysia, where strengthening climate resilience has become an important environmental planning priority. Understanding the behavioural factors that influence individuals' intentions to adopt climate change adaptation measures is essential for developing effective community-based adaptation strategies and supporting climate-resilient urban planning. This study applied the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) to examine the influence of threat appraisal and coping appraisal on behavioural intention towards climate change adaptation. A quantitative survey involving 450 respondents was conducted using a multistage cluster sampling technique, and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression. The findings revealed that the overall level of behavioural intention towards climate change adaptation was medium-high. Response efficacy (β = 1.534, p < 0.001), self-efficacy (β = 1.331, p < 0.001), and response cost (β = 0.480, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of behavioural intention, whereas perceived severity and perceived vulnerability were not statistically significant. The positive association observed for response cost suggests that perceived financial and practical challenges did not necessarily discourage respondents from adopting climate change adaptation measures. These findings provide valuable insights for environmental planners, local authorities, and policymakers in designing targeted interventions that strengthen community preparedness, enhance adaptive capacity, and support climate-resilient urban development.