7.4 – Energy and the Community

7.4.2 – 100% Renewable Energy Pledge

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is committed to achieving a 100% Renewable Energy Pledge by 2050, as outlined in its UKM Sustainability Policy 2030, established in 2023. This ambitious goal aims to transition all campus operations to renewable energy sources, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing environmental stewardship within higher education. UKM’s pledge reflects its dedication to fostering a sustainable future by integrating renewable energy and sustainable practices across its campuses, setting a benchmark in environmental responsibility for universities.

The 100% Renewable Energy Pledge at UKM

1. Renewable Energy Transition: UKM is focusing on increasing renewable energy sources, such as solar power, biomass, and other clean energy technologies, across its campus facilities. This includes ongoing solar installations on rooftops and other renewable projects.
2. Energy Efficiency Initiatives: To reduce energy demand, UKM is upgrading infrastructure to be more energy-efficient, including LED lighting, HVAC improvements, and a robust Building Management System (BMS) to optimize energy use in real-time.
3. Research and Innovation: UKM is investing in research on future renewable energy technologies, such as hydrogen energy, and building partnerships with industry leaders to foster innovation in sustainable energy solutions.
4. Educational Integration: The pledge also emphasizes educating the university community on sustainable practices and the importance of renewable energy. This includes embedding sustainability principles into the curriculum and conducting workshops and programs focused on renewable energy and conservation.
5. Carbon Reduction Goals: This 100% Renewable Energy Pledge aligns with UKM’s Zero Carbon Campus 2050 target, aiming to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future for the university and beyond.

Through this pledge, UKM demonstrates a leadership role in sustainable development and sets a powerful example for institutions globally by committing to a renewable, eco-friendly future that aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Source: https://www.ukm.my/kelestarian/data/sdg7/UKM-SUSTAINABILITY-POLICY-2030-ENG.pdf

UKM Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030

1. Developing a policy on saving and affordable energy

As part of its commitment to the 100% Renewable Energy Pledge, UKM is enhancing building energy efficiency with a comprehensive policy on energy savings and affordability. This policy provides clear guidelines for implementing energy-efficient practices across campus, including using sustainable materials, advanced energy-saving technologies, and renewable energy sources in building upgrades. Prioritizing cost-effective measures such as LED lighting, optimized HVAC systems, and automated energy management, this policy ensures long-term savings and environmental benefits. It also supports continuous monitoring and evaluation of energy usage, enabling UKM to track progress and make data-driven adjustments in real time. By formalizing its commitment to energy savings and affordability, UKM is creating a sustainable, cost-effective campus that aligns with its renewable energy goals and sets a benchmark for carbon footprint reduction in higher education (page 38).

2. Upgrading facilities based on energy saving equipment

In line with its 100% Renewable Energy Pledge, UKM is upgrading its facilities with advanced energy-saving equipment to boost energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. This initiative includes replacing outdated systems with high-efficiency alternatives, such as LED lighting, low-energy HVAC systems, and automated building controls that adjust energy use based on real-time needs. By installing solar panels and other renewable energy sources on rooftops, UKM is reducing reliance on external power and increasing its renewable energy capacity. The university’s investment in smart energy management systems ensures optimized operation, minimizes waste, and reduces operational costs, contributing to UKM renewable energy goals. These upgrades showcase UKM’s dedication to a sustainable campus and leadership in energy-efficient practices, setting a high standard for institutions in Malaysia and beyond (page 38).

3. Upgrading energy management 

As part of its 100% Renewable Energy Pledge, UKM is significantly enhancing energy efficiency through comprehensive upgrades in energy management across campus. The implementation of a Centralized Energy Management System (CEMS) allows UKM real-time control and monitoring of energy consumption in all buildings. This system enables precise adjustments in heating, cooling, and lighting based on occupancy and environmental conditions, ensuring optimal energy use and reducing unnecessary consumption. Incorporating predictive analytics, these energy management upgrades forecast demand, allowing for proactive maintenance and efficiency improvements. Smart meters integrated into the system provide detailed data on energy usage, identifying areas for further optimization and quickly addressing energy leaks. Through these advancements, UKM achieves substantial energy and cost savings, aligning with its renewable energy pledge, fostering a culture of sustainability, and reinforcing its leadership in building a low-carbon, sustainable campus (page 39).

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Multifaceted Approach Towards Net Zero Carbon by 2050

UKM’s progressive journey towards achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, marked by significant milestones. In 2020, UKM initiated its commitment to sustainability by establishing a dedicated governance structure to oversee and guide its environmental efforts through UKM Sustainability Policy 2030 and UKM Sustainability Strategic Plan 2030. UKM Strategic Plan consist of 5 main pillars, which provide a strategic framework for achieving its ambitious environmental and social goals. The first pillar, Governance and Management, ensures that sustainability principles are embedded within UKM’s administrative structure and decision-making processes, promoting responsible leadership and accountability. The Sustainable Campus pillar focuses on transforming the physical environment of the university, fostering eco-friendly practices and infrastructure to reduce environmental impact. Through the Research and Innovation pillar, UKM encourages groundbreaking research that addresses climate change and environmental challenges, facilitating the development of sustainable technologies and solutions. The Teaching and Learning pillar underscores UKM’s commitment to educating students and staff on sustainability, integrating these topics into the curriculum to cultivate a culture of environmental consciousness. Lastly, University Well-being and Community emphasizes the university’s role in supporting the well-being of its students, faculty, and surrounding community, highlighting UKM’s dedication to social responsibility. 

Building on this foundation, 2022 saw the introduction of a comprehensive climate change policy, along with the setting of an ambitious carbon neutrality target. In 2022, In 2022, UKM advanced its sustainability agenda by implementing a Net Zero Framework, a structured roadmap designed to achieve carbon neutrality. This framework involves a phased approach, ensuring systematic progress toward net zero emissions. The initial phase focuses on data gathering to accurately assess carbon emissions across the campus, covering areas such as energy consumption, waste, and transportation. With a comprehensive understanding of its carbon footprint, UKM then moves to strategy development, identifying key areas where emissions can be effectively reduced. Subsequent phases include carbon offset initiatives and establishing a Carbon Neutral Campus Policy to formalize commitments and guide action. Further measures within the framework include emission reduction targets that are gradually introduced and adjusted based on UKM’s evolving sustainability needs. These targets encompass green practices like enhancing energy efficiency, adopting renewable energy sources, and encouraging sustainable behaviors among students and staff. This phased approach reflects UKM’s meticulous and data-driven strategy to ensure that every step taken is impactful and aligns with its long-term carbon neutrality goals.

In 2030, UKM’s commitment to carbon neutral 2050 outlined multi-faceted approach that includes a thorough Assessment of Net Carbon Emissions, a range of Initiatives to Carbon Neutral University, and forward-looking Future Projects to drive sustainable development across campus. The Assessment of Net Carbon Emissions categorizes emissions into three scopes: Scope 1 (direct emissions from university-controlled sources), Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity), and Scope 3 (other indirect emissions such as those from commuting and waste). This comprehensive assessment enables UKM to measure its carbon footprint accurately and identify key areas where emission reductions can be implemented.

Building on this foundation, UKM has launched several Initiatives to Carbon Neutral University that focus on essential areas like energy conservation, waste management, water efficiency, and sustainable mobility. For instance, energy initiatives include the adoption of solar power, improved insulation in buildings, and LED lighting, while waste management efforts target reducing landfill contributions through composting, recycling, and the elimination of single-use plastics. Water-saving practices, such as rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling, contribute to resource conservation, and sustainable mobility is supported by electric buses and bicycles to minimize carbon emissions from transportation.

Looking ahead, UKM has ambitious Future Projects planned to bolster its carbon-neutral efforts. These projects include installing LED streetlights across the campus, expanding the electric bus fleet, establishing zero-waste laboratories, and earning green building recognition for campus facilities. Additionally, UKM is committed to creating a comprehensive network of charging stations for electric vehicles, supporting the transition to cleaner transportation options. Together, these assessment practices, ongoing initiatives, and future projects demonstrate UKM’s holistic and proactive approach to sustainability, underscoring its determination to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

100% Renewable Energy Project

Bertam Smart City 2023

To support the 100% renewable energy pledge beyond Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), we can highlight regional projects such as the Bertam Smart City initiative. This initiative, launched in 2023, aims to significantly cut carbon emissions by an estimated 69.7%. The project integrates renewable energy solutions with smart infrastructure, exemplifying the potential for energy-efficient urban planning. By promoting this case, UKM can inspire broader commitments to renewable energy in urban development, supporting Malaysia’s transition toward sustainable energy use and serving as a model for local and international communities in carbon reduction and energy sustainability.

World Renewable Energy Congress 2023

The World Renewable Energy Congress (WREC) 2023, hosted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), presents a significant platform to promote the public pledge toward achieving 100% renewable energy beyond the university. This event convened global experts, researchers, and policymakers, fostering discussions and collaborations on renewable energy advancements, sustainable solutions, and energy policies. By highlighting outcomes from WREC 2023, UKM can underscore the importance of renewable energy adoption on a global scale and encourage institutions, industries, and governments to commit to sustainable energy practices. The congress reinforces the role of UKM as a leader in advancing SDG 7 goals through active global engagement and advocacy.