Energy and Climate Change (EC)
UKM started using energy efficiency appliances in 2015. The replacement for these appliances has been conducted in stages, depending on the needs and budget allocations.
We adhere to the Government Green Procurement Guidelines (GGP), which specify that the selection of products and services for procurement in the public sector should be based on criteria encompassing financial considerations, adherence to standards, environmental impact, and the presence of local suppliers. As a testament to our commitment to these guidelines, UKM has taken measures to exclusively install energy-efficient appliances, including streetlights, LED lamps, air conditioners, and computers, contributing to our environmentally conscious practices.
UKM has strategically planned for initiatives in developing affordable energy as well as energy efficiency, for instance, upgrading conventional lamps into high-efficient LED lamps and installing solar panels within UKM in its Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030 which can be accessed in page 45 and 46. The plans mentioned have been operated progressively as shown in Table 1.
Use of high efficiency LEDs in the campus street
Use of high efficiency LEDs in the campus building
Use of eco-friendly air conditioner
Use of energy-saving computer
Other energy-efficient appliances in UKM including energy meter reader to measure energy efficiency of each building, temperature sensor to monitor temperature and humidity in the building as well as District Cooling System (DCS) with chilled water storage and ice storage system.
Energy meter reader
Temperature sensor
DCS
Smart building implementation in UKM
Buildings in UKM will be classified as a smart building if it is equipped with at least five smart building features : automation, safety (physical security, presence sensors, video surveillance/CCTV), energy, water (sanitation), and lighting (Illumination, low power lighting).
UKM, Akademia Siber Teknopolis
UKM, Kompleks Penyelidikan
UKM, Fakulti Kejuruteraan dan Alam Bina
UKM, Pusat CITRA
UKM, Perpustakaan Tun Seri Lanang
UKM, Fakulti Teknologi & Sains Maklumat
UKM, Perpustakaan Lingkungan 2
UKM, Kompleks Permata Pintar
UKM Mosque
UKM Graduate School of Business (Administration Block)
UKM, Makmal Penyelidikan Bahasa, Media & STEM
UKM, Jabatan Pembangunan Prasarana
UKM, Fakulti Pendidikan
UKM, Pusat Bahasa
UKM, Tun Fatimah Hashim
UKM, Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi
UKM, Pusat Asuhan Permata Pintar
UKM Chancellery
UKM Faculty of Law
On page 15 in UKM Bangi Campus Physical Development Master Plan 2007-2020 (Figure 1), UKM has planned the development for sustainable design and architecture of UKM buildings. 19 principles for the sustainable development designs for UKM buildings are as stated in Figure 2.
Figure 1 : Design and Architecture of Buildings in UKM Bangi Campus Physical Development Master Plan 2007-2020, page 15
Figure 2 : Principles of sustainable development designs in UKM buildings stated in UKM Bangi Campus Physical Development Master Plan 2007-2020, page 16 and 17
Climate change solution through green technology
UKM has implemented 3 renewable energy sources in the campus as an effort into providing alternative energy. The renewable energy sources that are currently operating by the institutes in UKM are solar energy, biodiesel and clean biomass.
Solar panel installation on campus
Biodiesel production by SELFUEL UKM
Clean biomass from Biogas Technology Cockpit in Chini Lake Research Center (PPTC) UKM
Elements of Green Building Implementation as Reflected in All Construction and Renovation
All buildings in UKM adhere to green building standards for renovations and construction, and have implemented elements such as full natural daylighting, natural ventilation, rainwater harvesting system, installation of high efficiency LEDs, landscaping and recycling. These criterias have been listed in the construction and renovation tender in UKM. UKM also installed solar panels as an effort to reduce electricity’s cost. UKM also has one energy manager to oversee the energy management in UKM.
UKM implements more than 3 elements of green buildings in the construction and renovations of its buildings. At UKM, the party responsible for ensuring that construction and building upgrade works meet green building criteria is placed under the Infrastructure Development Department (https://www.ukm.my/jpp/). Among the green building elements that UKM adheres to are energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and materials and resources.
Energy Efficiency
Indoor Environmental Quality
Materials and Resources
Greenhouse gas emission reduction program
UKM has started a Carbon Tracking Program on Scope 1, 2 and 3 in the campus starting in 2022. This initiative is in line with the university’s desire to create a sustainable campus as stated in the UKM 2030 Sustainability Strategic Plan. This program applies the methodology prescribed by the GHG Standard Protocol for reporting greenhouse gas emission rates. UKM’s objective is to progressively decrease the carbon emission rate within the campus by 2030, with a broader, long-term aim of achieving a carbon-neutral status by 2050.
Scope 1
Hydrogen Car Fuel Vehicle
Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE)
Open Roof Ventilation Green House
Smoke-free campus
Scope 2
Electricity Saving Poster
Solar panel installation in Genius@Pintar Negara, UKM
Scope 3
Composting of Organic Waste in UKM’s Compost Center
Water Saving Poster
Rainwater Harvesting System in one of the buildings in UKM, Academia Cyber Technopolis
Innovative programs in energy and climate change
UKM has nine innovative sustainability programs in energy and climate change. The design of the sensor monitoring system’s primary function to monitor the facility building uses several sensors. The power meter sensors, temperature and humidity sensors were deployed as IoT ubiquitous sensors to monitor the condition in one of the laboratories in UKM. There are in total 2 temperature and humidity sensors and 2 power meters to measure temperature, humidity and current draw of the air conditioner.
Sensor appliances in monitoring system in the facility building in UKM
Power Meter Sensors
IoT Gateway
Appliances For Temperature and Humidity Sensor
Water Pump Operation Monitoring System
Sustainability Projects in Energy and Climate Change
- Design and Development of Secure and Energy Efficient Intelligent Building Via IR4.0 Approach
- Occupant Analytics and Event Detection for Intelligent Building Application
- Efficient Building Inspection With Digitalisation (EBIND); A Cost Effective Solution For Building Inspection Reporting
- Prototype Development of Membrane Plate Filter Press System – A Simultaneous Solution for Semiconductor-industry Wastewater Treatment and Silicon Recovery
- Microbial fuel cell biosensor as early warning system and irregularity detection in wastewater quality
- Plastic Litter Solution in Remote Water Sources with the Aerial Artificial Intelligence of Things
- Implementation of the IoT sensor network with energy harvesting using metamaterial absorber
- Sustainable Agri Voltaics for Land-Energy-Food Nexus
- A Learning Module for Fuel Cell Technology and Hydrogen Energy Education
Impactful program on climate change by UKM
UKM holds many training programs and community activities and provides educational materials for all communities regarding the importance and issues of climate change. The programs that are held cover all scopes, whether at the regional, national and international levels. These programs received great response from various corners of the region, nationally and internationally. Through these programs, the community’s awareness of the importance of the environment and climate stability is achieved and will continue to be improved by UKM over time.
1. MyIKLIM YSD Climate Database
MyIKLIM is a one-stop data center where users can access user-friendly research data related to the environment and climate change in Malaysia. It is a project under the UKM-YSD Chair for Sustainability under the Climate Change Mitigation Thrust Area.
The data are mainly provided and/or processed by researchers in a form that can be easily understood by the public. It is an interactive and informative platform where users can extract the information they need and get to know the people who are behind the dataset if they like to seek more information.
Meanwhile, it provides unprecedented exposure for researchers to share their interesting findings with the public.
2. 5th International Conference on Science and Technology Applications in Climate Change (Staclim 2022) @ Webex Online (29-30 November 2022)
STACLIM 2022 with the theme “Climate change mitigation action through the lens of science and technology” has been successfully organized on 29 –30 November 2022 virtually via Webex Platform. The conference has gathered more than 100 participants from universities, research institutes, government agencies and industries who are related to the field of science and climate change. The Vice-Chancellor of UKM, Prof. Dato’ Gs. Ts. Dr Mohd Ekhwan Hj. Toriman officiated the conference. The conference was addressed by two keynote speakers namely Professor Dr Lisa Stein from the University of Alberta, Canada and Professor Dr Haruko Kurihara from the University of The Ryukyus, Japan. The keynote speaker session was opened to the public and gathered 150 participants. Five invited speakers were also invited to give talks about their current research. STACLIM 2022 has received many abstract participations and only 73 papers were selected to be presented and published in IOP.
3. Hari Denai Alam @ Denai Alur Ilmu UKM (17 December 2022)
STACLIM 2022 with the theme “Climate change mitigation action through the lens of science and technology” has been successfully organized on 29 –30 November 2022 virtually via Webex Platform. The conference has gathered more than 100 participants from universities, research institutes, government agencies and industries who are related to the field of science and climate change. The Vice-Chancellor of UKM, Prof. Dato’ Gs. Ts. Dr Mohd Ekhwan Hj. Toriman officiated the conference. The conference was addressed by two keynote speakers namely Professor Dr Lisa Stein from the University of Alberta, Canada and Professor Dr Haruko Kurihara from the University of The Ryukyus, Japan. The keynote speaker session was opened to the public and gathered 150 participants. Five invited speakers were also invited to give talks about their current research. STACLIM 2022 has received many abstract participations and only 73 papers were selected to be presented and published in IOP.
4. Community-based Environmental Education Programs and Forest Restoration @ Tropical Rainforest Living Collection, Merisuli Reserve Forest, Lahad Datu, Sabah (22-24 November 2022)
This program by Institute of Climate Change (IPI) UKM had gathered support from Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre (TRCRC), a Malaysian non-profit organization and the local university, Universiti Malaysia Sabah through joint activity on the environmental volunteering programme (ENVOP) offered by TRCRC. Part of the program was also designed to provide hands-on activities for participants in monitoring the earth’s environment, especially in the forests using technology such as remote sensing.
The entire course of the program was designed to match with the TRCRC volunteering program which aims to promote rainforest conservation and involve communities in environmental rehabilitation. By volunteering and working with and around nature, participants could acquire a more personal and direct relationship with complex and often abstract issues such as deforestation and subsequent loss of ecosystem services.
5. Green Camp For Youth @ Tasik Chini Siri 1 (5-7 Sep 2022)
The Green Camp for Youth @ Tasik Chini was held on 5-7 September 2022 that involved the school student within UNESCO Tasik Chini Biosphere Reserve as the Youth Leader in environmental conservation activities. The program was organized by Tasik Chini Research Centre (PPTC-UKM) in collaboration with Pahang State Parks Corporation (PSPC), Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) and Recycle Community Malaysia , Lestari-Sustainable (RCOMM Lestari) and East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC).
The participants were involved in the following activities and workshops e.g. trash hunt, food waste composting, kayaking and upcycle (trash art). In this programme we managed to contribute in few indicator in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that include SDG 4 (Quality Education) to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) with 41.5kg amount of trash collected and 80% (33.2kg) were recyclable material.
6. Webinar on Climate Leaders: Leading the Action Against Climate Change (Series 1) – “Universities and Sustainable Communities: Towards a Green Agenda” @ Zoom Webinar (17 October 2022)
Institute of Climate Change (IPI) in collaboration with the Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT) and Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia hosted the Climate Leaders Webinar Series titled “Universities and Sustainable Communities: Towards a Green Agenda ”. The webinar was moderated by Associate Prof. Dr Wan Hanna Melini Wan Mohtar (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) with three panellists, Prof. Simon Redfern (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore), Associate Prof. Dr Meredian Alam (Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei), Associate Prof. Dr Zaini Sakawi (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) and Associate Prof. Dr Seree Supharatid (Rangsit University, Thailand). The webinar has gathered 438 participants from universities, external organizations, private companies, and the community.
7. Research on Channel Modelling and Propagation Characteristics of Internet of Things (IoT) Transmission in rural area (August 2022)
This work aims to characterize the wireless channel behavior in Malaysia’s tropical rural areas, where the propagated wireless signal suffers from several imperfections, such as attenuation, diffraction, scattering and absorption due to the presence of various surrounding elements, such as terrain profile, vegetation, river/lake and dense foliage. The work also aims to formulate a new propagation channel model in a rural environment that will be useful for future IoT deployment. The outcome from this research is expected to offer a new understanding on the propagation behavior of current and future wireless IoT technologies, thus help the network engineer to perform accurate planning and deployment in a rural environment.
8. MyCLIMATE/ Kajian Dasar Perubahan Iklim
The research project successfully developed a strategy, roadmap and national policy of adaptation on climate change based on the sustainable development concept through the implementation of National Policy of Climate Change
9. Inception Workshop
The research project successfully developed a strategy, roadmap and national policy of adaptation on climate change based on the sustainable development concept through the implementation of National Policy of Climate Change
10. Workshop on youth and young professionals in SETI for Disaster Risk Reduction ‘Road to GPDRR 2022’
The research project successfully developed a strategy, roadmap and national policy of adaptation on climate change based on the sustainable development concept through the implementation of National Policy of Climate Change
11. Earth Day U-Inspire 2022
U-INSPIRE Malaysia@UKM along with other partners successfully organized and celebrated Earth Day 2022 on 22 April 2022. The aim for Earth Day 2022 was to reframe the conversation, accelerate action and work collectively among the community – individuals, governments, NGOs and businesses – to do our part. Thirty-five live viewers attended the two-hour Zoom webinar themed Investing on Climate Literacy for Our Planet. The Earth Day 2022 celebrations reached an audience comprising mostly youth and young professionals.
12. Openstreetmap Training of Trainers
OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a digital map database that provides open data for query, download, modification and visualization. OpenStreetMap Training of Trainers was conducted over two days (29-30 March 2022); it was organized by SEADPRI-UKM and U-INSPIRE Malaysia with support from ANCST and UNICEF Malaysia in collaboration with the U-INSPIRE Indonesia, Perkumpulan OpenStreetMap Indonesia and Universitas Indonesia. The aim of this training is to build the capacity of the youth in nurturing local knowledge to develop an open-access database.
13. Geological Disasters Knowledge and Awareness Training of Trainers
Geological Disasters Knowledge and Awareness Training of Trainers (ToT) was held on 7 July 2022 to educate and encourage YYPs to understand the risk of geological disasters in Malaysia and its surrounding regions. This 2-hour online training program was organized by SEADPRI-UKM, ANCST, and U-INSPIRE Malaysia@UKM, with support from National Geographic Young Explorer and other partners.
14. The Capacity Building Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction Knowledge and Awareness
SEADPRI-UKM and U-INSPIRE Malaysia@UKM with support from other partners had again successfully conducted another Geological Disaster Knowledge and Awareness Training of Trainers (ToT) at the Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuala Lipis Pahang on 22 August 2022. This ToT was another initiative carried out with prospective teachers with the aim of building a disaster-resilient community through early exposure to knowledge and awareness about disasters
15. School Experiential Learning Training On Disaster Knowledge and Awareness
Children are potential agents of change in households, schools and the community; they have the capacity for understanding disaster risk reduction. The main mechanism to utilize that capacity is through DRR education in schools because schools are seen as ideal and effective places for children to learn new skills and discover new things. The first such workshop, titled School Experiential Learning Training on Disaster Knowledge and Awareness, was held on 29 September 2022 at Sekolah Kebangsaan Janda Baik as the study area. It was organized by SEADPRI-UKM and U-INSPIRE Malaysia@UKM with support from other partners.
A team of members from U-INSPIRE Malaysia@UKM, with some help from SK Janda Baik teachers along with other partners from SEADPRI-UKM and MERCY Malaysia, helped to facilitate the workshop. Everyone, especially the children, showed great commitment and support for the workshop. This workshop is seen as a platform for the youth and young professionals together with experienced researchers to share about climate science and technology on DRR with the schoolchildren who are agents of change in empowering best practices in DRR.
16. Geoscience Communication for DRR: Sharing of Best Practices
SEADPRI-UKM, with support from ANCST, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Canada and other partners successfully organized a session to empower young geoscientists on Geoscience Communication for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): Sharing Of Best Practices. The event was held in conjunction with the 17th GEOSEA Regional Congress 2022, in tandem with the 34th National Geoscience Conference (NGC) in Langkawi, Malaysia from 17-21 October 2022. A representative from U-INSPIRE Alliance, Dr. Nuraini Rahma Hanifa and a few members of U-INSPIRE Malaysia@UKM, Mr. Navakanesh and Dr. Rabiehtul were invited to present at the Technical Session 1 on Environmental Geology and Climate Change on 18 October 2022, while Ms. Faten Hanani presented for the poster session on 20 October 2022.
17. Shah Alam Mapathon (2022)
This Mapathon was a coordinated mapping event using OpenStreetMap (OSM) where mappers needed to be digitally involved in mapping the selected area. The Shah Alam Mapathon (SAM) was proposed as a continuation of the Training of Trainers on OpenStreetMap which was conducted on 29-30 March 2022; it focused on the tutorial on how to use OSM. The Shah Alam Mapathon (SAM) was conducted by SEADPRI-UKM, ANCST, U-INSPIRE Malaysia@UKM and other partners from 5 December 2022 until 25 February 2023. The event took off with a session on 5 December 2022 and ended with a physical appreciation event. Its objective was to build the capacity of Malaysian youth digital mappers in applying their local knowledge to develop an open-access database using OSM in building community resilience.
18. Webinar on Climate Leaders: Leading the Action Against Climate Change (Series 2) – “University’s Role in The Climate Change Battle: Leadership from ASEAN Universities” @ Zoom Webinar ( 20 March 2023)
Following the first series of Webinar on Climate Leaders: Leading the Action Against Climate Change on 17 October 2023, Institute of Climate Change (IPI) extended the second series with the theme “University’s Role in The Climate Change Battle: Leadership from ASEAN Universities”. This event was hosted in collaboration with the Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT) and the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. The webinar was moderated by Associate Prof. Dr. Sharina Abdul Halim (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) with four panelists, L.Arch. James Christopher P. Buno (University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippines), Prof. Djoko Santoso Abi Suroso (Institute of Technology Bandung, Indonesia), Prof. Banchong Mahaisavariya (Mahidol University, Thailand) and Associate Prof. Datuk Ts. Dr. Ramzah Dambul (Institute for Development Studies, Sabah, Malaysia). The webinar has gathered more than 400 participants from universities, external organizations, private companies, and the community around the world.
19. 2023 Sungai Langat River Denai Run (23 September 2023)
The 2023 Sungai Langat River Denai Run is an event jointly organized by the Friends of Rivers Malaysia (FoRM) and the National University of Malaysia (UKM), in conjunction with World Rivers Day. It encompasses two categories, namely a 5-kilometer fun run and a 15-kilometer open and veteran race for both men and women.
A total of 574 participants enthusiastically took part in the run, not only for the thrill of the race but also to engage in a noble cause: collecting litter and waste along the route, instilling a profound love for our environment. The winners were determined based on the weight of the collected trash in the 5-kilometer fun run category.
Through this initiative, participants not only engaged in physical activity but also demonstrated their commitment to preserving the environment by cleaning up the debris that pollutes the river and its surroundings.
Green and Smart Building Features
Renewable energy sources in UKM
Green Energy Tariff (GET) Subscription by UKM
UKM has successfully subscribed to GET for two locations, UKM Bangi campus and UKM Jalan Raja Muda campus, for 12 months starting from 16 February 2023 until 15 February 2024.
UKM Solar Power Project
UKM Solar Power project was implemented for the purpose of saving the university’s electricity costs. The value of the project is RM24 million. A 9MWdc solar panel will be installed on the roof of the UKM building in Bangi.
This project is Involving 50 buildings in UKM Bangi. Installation of the solar panels is expected to begin in December 2022. There is a cooperation period of 15 years and after 15 years the solar system will be handed over to UKM for operation.
The estimated savings to be obtained from the solar power project is electricity bill savings of at least 16% for each kwh used, equivalent to RM1.24 million per year (UKM pays 0.29 sen/kwh compared to 0.3465 sen/kwh for the first 10 years).
From this project, between 10% to 20% reduction is expected in maximum electrical demand charges.
Malaysian Minister of Higher Education officiated the installation of solar panels at UKM’s Main Campus in Bangi Selangor in 2023. This project is expected to save electricity consumption at UKM.
Installation of Solar Thermal Systems and Low Energy Architecture panels at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. These solar panels will be used to turn on the hot water system using the solar thermal collector method.
Photovoltaic solar was also installed in the student residence of the Faculty of Medicine at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
Solar project at UKM’s Green Technology Innovation Park for research on the use of solar specifically to save electricity consumption at UKM.
Solar panels were installed for the Dual Tracking Photovoltaic (PV) system for telecommunication towers specifically for use at UKM.
Amphibious Solar Powered Generator and ultra filtration water system trailer for disaster relief application.
Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) has carried out research collaboration with Hospital Kepala Batas, Penang in the Bertam Smart Energy City project. This project successfully won the MERIT award in the Renewable Energy, Combined Heat and Power category at the Malaysian National Energy Awards (National Energy Awards 2022).
Photovoltaic Thermal Hybrid (PVT) and Heat Pump System (HPVTHPS) was proposed in this field study to improve the thermal comfort of naturally ventilated hospital wards. The heat pump is used to heat water and produce cold air to reduce the air temperature in the ward, in addition to being an active cooling agent to improve PVT performance.
Overall, HPVTHPS reduced hospital ward room temperatures compared to baseline with average temperature reductions ranging from 0.5 °C to 3.9 °C. PVT systems also show high efficiency values between 51.0% and 69.0% which include thermal and electrical energy performance. The project installed at Hospital Kepala Batas with a solar PV capacity of 7.20 kWp succeeded in reducing carbon dioxide by 151 tonnes per year. This reduction is equivalent to 329,569 saplings planted for 10 years to absorb CO2.
The award ceremony was attended by the Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, YB Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. Also present, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation (UKM), Prof. Dato’ Dr. Wan Kamal Mujani and the director of SERI (UKM), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Adib Ibrahim.
UKM installed solar panels for use by the Orang Asli community in Tasik Chini Pahang, Malaysia. This initiative contributed to the community by utilising UKM’s expertise in the newest energy field.
UKM-Petronas Collaboration
Hydrogen is the one of the renewable energy that is listed as the present global main niche. UKM supports government’s policy to Net Zero Carbon in Energy Production for 2050 when UKM Fuel Cell Institute (SELFUEL) successfully produced Electrolyser unit, which is a hydrogen production system, with Petronas Research Sdn. Bhd. (PRSB).
Now, there are nine projects related to sustainable hydrogen energy currently being implemented in institution level with total grant amounted at RM 8, 461, 000.00 and a UKM-Petronas laboratory has been developed in UKM.
