Sustainable Green Campus Festival 2022

The Sustainable Green Campus Festival 2022, organised by the UiTM Green Centre, was an important step towards fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) by promoting climate action and sustainability on campus. The event was graced by UiTM Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Ts. Dr Hajah Roziah Mohd Janor, and was held at Anjung Seri Budiman, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam. The event was attended by UiTM’s strategic partners from various agencies including Kloth Malaysia Sdn Bhd, KDEB Waste Management, Landasan Lumayan Sdn. Bhd (LLSB), the Department of Environment (DOE), Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC), Shah Alam City Council’s (MBSA) Department of Planning, Department of Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing, Malaysia Sustainable University Campus Network (MySUN), Fathopes Energy, Central Sugar Refinery Sdn. Bhd (CSR), Perbadanan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB), Avisena Specialist Hospital and Sekolah Kebangsaan Saujana Utama. The event demonstrated how collaborative efforts can drive SDG 13 initiatives. Themed “Greener and Healthier Lifestyle”, the programme, which was held for the second time, ran from 1 November to 31 December 2022 and aimed to (1) recognise the contributions of “sustainability warriors” who have actively promoted sustainability locally and globally, and (2) recognise the campuses, faculties, responsibility centres and strategic partners who have actively supported the University’s Sustainability Agenda in 2022. Professor Datuk Ts. Dr Hajah Roziah Mohd Janor, Vice Chancellor of UiTM, emphasised that collaboration with strategic partners is timely and integral to the University’s Sustainability Agenda, making UiTM a key player in achieving SDG 13. She highlighted that UiTM’s commitment to sustainability, as evidenced by the UiTM Green Campus Sustainability Festival, has placed the university 128th out of 1050 universities in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2022. During the closing ceremony of the event, participants also witnessed the launch of three major initiatives by the UiTM Green Centre to strengthen the University’s Sustainability Agenda and contribute to SDG 13. These initiatives include the Environmental Sustainability Report (ESR), the UiTM 2022-2025 Green Campus Sustainability Strategic Plan, the Low Carbon Cities Challenge 2030 Blueprint and the launch of a high-impact sustainability project called “No Single Use Plastic” (SUP). These initiatives play an important role in establishing a culture of sustainability and climate action within the university community and underline UiTM’s commitment to addressing the challenges of climate change and advancing SDG 13.

Evaluating the Understanding of Sustainable Development among Generation Z Students

In 2021, Forbes described Generation Z as the vanguard of sustainable development, and a 2018 study by the National Union of Students in the UK found that 81% of students expressed interest in the concept of Sustainable Development. Building on this momentum, the Financial Science Club FLOW launched a research initiative in the 2020/2021 academic year to assess awareness of sustainable development among students (n=514). While 70% of students indicated that they were already familiar with the concept of Sustainable Development, not all had basic knowledge in this area. However, 83% of students confirmed that it is important for individuals to influence market dynamics and drive sustainable development. These results and the students’ beliefs emphasise the significant potential for innovative and adaptable solutions aimed at transforming universities into environmentally conscious and sustainable institutions. UITM has initiated a comprehensive programme aimed at engaging students in sustainable development activities from the very beginning of their studies.

https://qs-gen.com/outstanding-achievement-of-uitms-fspu-students-in-6th-international-built-environment-undergraduate-research-competition/

MYOUTHCLIMATE: Fostering Knowledge and Climate Change Literacy for Malaysian Youth

UiTM staff and students have been actively involved in the MYOUTHCLIMATE programme, which aims to improve Malaysian youth’s knowledge and understanding of climate change. The main objective of the programme is to equip young Malaysians with climate literacy by developing climate education tools and improving their knowledge on climate change. This in turn will help promote behavioural adaptations to support climate change mitigation initiatives across society. The specific objectives of the programme include the development of a climate change education toolkit, an interactive e-learning module tailored for educators, youth and students, and the organisation of a one-day conference on climate change for young participants.The first phase focuses on the development of an interactive e-learning module that addresses general climate change topics such as causes, impacts, mitigation and adaptation strategies. This module aims to capture the interest of young learners and make climate change education engaging and accessible. The second phase is a one-day virtual climate action conference for young people that includes talks, online quizzes, games, art competitions, lucky draws and much more. This multifaceted event aims to raise young people’s awareness and interest in climate change and empower them to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. The active involvement of UiTM staff and students in this programme demonstrates their commitment to climate education and sustainable practises.

https://content.iospress.com/articles/physiotherapy-practice-and-research/ppr220624

Initiatives and Comprehensive Plans for Low-Carbon Campus Development for a Sustainable Future

Due to rising energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, universities are increasingly recognising the importance of low-carbon campus development. This study examined existing campus management initiatives and identified the key holistic elements for successful implementation. Based on a triangulation of information from 116 respondents at the UiTM Shah Alam campus and eight professional interviews, the study found that most existing low carbon campus programmes and activities focus on low-hanging fruit. Financial, cultural, behavioural, organisational and physical constraints were identified as critical challenges to effective implementation. The study also suggested key strategies to overcome these challenges. These include raising green funding, setting clear targets, developing standard procedures for assessing and monitoring carbon emissions and promoting education and information programmes.

https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFM-10-2021-0121/full/html

Modelling the Relationship between the Environmental Factors and Environmental Behavioural Intention among University Students using a Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM)

Currently, the world is facing an extraordinarily alarming level of environmental problems related to phenomena such as climate change, ozone layer depletion and global warming. Thus the world urgently needs an immediate solution to tackle these environmental problems. It has been proven that the environmental problems are mainly due to irresponsible human activities. To overcome these problems, behavioural solutions are needed to encourage individuals to adopt environmentally friendly behaviour. Since university students consume a large proportion of environmental resources, universities can play an important role in promoting environmentally friendly behaviour in society by providing appropriate environmental education to their students. However, local universities such as Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) lack information on students’ pro-environmental behaviour. Recent studies have shown that pro-environmental behaviour can be explained by many direct factors, but indirect factors have received much less attention. The aim of this study is to (1) determine specific environmental factors that may influence UiTM students’ environmental behaviour intention, and (2) determine the mediating effect of environmental attitude on the relationship between the environmental factors and Environmental Behavioural Intention. These environmental factors and mediating factors are analysed using Partial Least Square - Structural Equations Modelling (PLS-SEM). Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 382 UiTM students selected using Stratified random sampling. The results show that two significant factors have a direct influence on Environmental Behaviour Intention, namely Environmental Knowledge and Social Norms. This means that students who have environmental knowledge and are surrounded by environmentally conscious people tend to behave in an environmentally conscious way. Two other factors, Environmental Concern and Perceived Risk, have an indirect influence on Environmental Behaviour Intention through the mediation of environmental attitudes. The result indicates that students who are concerned about the environment and are aware of the associated environmental risks only engage in responsible environmental behaviour if they have a positive attitude towards it. Overall, integrating both types of direct and indirect factors to explain pro-environmental behaviour leads to a better understanding of students’ attitudes and behaviour towards the environment.

https://scholar.archive.org/work/ xdww7cqsrzcilh44qqykjcg2va/access/wayback/ https://turcomat.org/index.php/turkbilmat/article/ download/1290/1068

Open Access Discovery Portal @ PTAR for Open Access Week: Climate Justice

The Tun Abdul Razak Library (PTAR) at UiTM played an important role in promoting Open Access Week 2022, which had the theme “Open for Climate Justice”. This year’s theme aimed to promote networking and collaboration between the climate movement and the international open access community. It emphasised that sharing knowledge is a fundamental human right and that tackling the climate crisis requires the rapid exchange of knowledge across different borders, including geographical, economic and disciplinary boundaries. The concept of Climate Justice emphasises the fact that the impacts of the climate crisis are not equally or fairly distributed. This unequal distribution affects different demographic groups, including rich and poor, women and men, and different generations. As the United Nations notes, these power imbalances also affect the ability of communities to produce, share and utilise knowledge about the climate crisis. Openness in this context serves as a pathway to more equitable knowledge sharing and becomes a tool to address the inequalities that shape the consequences of climate change and our response to it. International Open Access Week is a crucial time for communities to come together and advocate for openness to become the standard in research, with a focus on equity. This year’s theme, chosen by the Open Access Week Advisory Committee, provided an opportunity to unite, take proactive action and raise awareness of how open practises can enable climate justice. Open Access Week 2022 took place from 24 to 30 October. However, individuals and institutions were encouraged to organise discussions and actions around the theme “Open for Climate Justice” throughout the year, adapting the theme and activities to their specific local contexts. PTAR’s opening up to this initiative emphasises its commitment to promoting knowledge sharing and addressing climate change issues. At the same time, it emphasises the importance of making knowledge freely accessible and inclusive, especially in the context of climate justice.

https://puncakalam.library.uitm.edu.my/research1/mendeley/107-ptar/latest-ptar/announcement/338-open

Systematic Review of Literature on the Roles of Non-Governmental Organisations in National Climate Change Governance

This review aims to examine the roles of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the governance of climate change. It attempts to understand the contribution of NGOs to climate change governance at the national level. In order to achieve the objective, a systematic review was conducted, which was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and evaluated by means of a thematic analysis. Two databases were used to search for journal articles: Scopus and Web of Science. NGOs play various specific and functional roles in national climate change governance, e.g. as advocates and activists, innovators, researchers, information providers, representatives, implementers, watchdogs and educators. The findings emphasise the need to further explore the complementary roles of NGOs in national climate change governance, particularly in the areas of research, innovation, policy implementation and monitoring. Strengthening their capacity in these areas is crucial for effective climate governance. Future studies should examine the factors that drive NGOs to act more actively as implementers, researchers, innovators and watchdogs in climate governance. Particular attention should be given to examining the involvement of NGOs in climate governance in authoritarian regimes, taking into account possible democratisation. Examining the challenges faced by NGOs in fulfilling these tasks is also a valuable avenue for future research. The study contributes to the body of knowledge on the current roles of NGOs in national climate change governance. It also highlights areas where further research is needed in the field of climate change governance.

Safe Wood Density Prediction Method an Essential Tool

In addition to the diameter and height of trees, wood density (WD) is an important predictive variable for quantifying aboveground biomass (AGB) and forest carbon stocks. Therefore, reliable data and transparent information on WD must be provided to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the carbon stock reports. It can be particularly difficult and time-consuming to determine the WD of living trees in the field. To predict the WD of standing trees without jeopardising the tree itself, a non-destructive tool (NDT) is needed. Thus, resistance microdrilling was considered as a possible alternative to determine the WD of standing trees. Its importance is supported by a considerable amount of research investigating WD assessment using resistance microdrilling for various applications such as timber structural analysis, tree health assessment, tree breeding and ageing studies. This study therefore concludes that the application of Resistograph requires both skills in the use of the instrument in the field and knowledge in the interpretation of the resistance profiles. Researchers have the opportunity to evaluate the device’s endurance in assessing the WD of large groups of standing trees to accurately estimate AGB and carbon stock in tropical forests. Rapid assessment of WD using micro resistance drilling will provide forest managers with important information to facilitate decision making in forest management.

https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/72309/

A Natural Disaster and the Enduring Human Spirit

On the morning of 18 December 2021, heavy rains inundated various parts of the Klang Valley and Peninsular Malaysia, causing unprecedented flooding. This caused people to be trapped in their homes and vehicles for hours or even days, and the whole nation was in shock. However, Malaysians came together to help and support the flood victims. UiTM played an important role by setting up a WhatsApp hotline for the victims, forming a volunteer brigade and providing funds to support the flood victims. The campus also served as a temporary relief centre where volunteers and the Minister of Higher Education offered assistance. Despite the challenges, the flood brought out the spirit of unity and generosity in the community as ordinary individuals and organisations worked together to alleviate the suffering of the flood victims. This disaster ultimately led to new connections and valuable lessons for all involved.

Using a Smart Geodatabase to Evaluate the Urban Heat Island Effect in Kampung Baru

Kampung Baru, a Malay agricultural settlement in Kuala Lumpur, was established in 1900 and has gained sustained national attention due to its economic, social, environmental and political significance, particularly in the context of modern and future development pressures. This study investigates the urban morphological impact of Kampung Baru on the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon. For this purpose, a smart geodatabase tailored for urban climatic mapping was created to provide essential baseline data for unveiling the spatiotemporal characteristics of UHI in Kampung Baru. The study assesses the Urban Heat Island Intensity (UHII) in Kampung Baru through two different methods: mobile and fixed measurements. Over a period of six days, mobile measurements were conducted at night using a motorbike equipped with data loggers for temperature and relative humidity, while fixed measurements were conducted by installing similar equipment in a school building in the area. Building height data was collected, building footprints were digitised using topographic maps and satellite imagery was used as a base map. Reference data for temperature in rural areas were obtained from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD) to estimate the UHII. ArcGIS was used to analyse the data, which enabled the visualisation of temperature patterns in the study area. The analysis revealed that there is a UHI effect in Kampung Baru, particularly in areas with an average building height of six to ten metres. Fixed measurements revealed an island-like local temperature maximum with average and maximum UHII values of 4.4 °C and 6.0 °C, respectively. Mobile measurements also showed that temperatures in Kampung Baru were higher than in the surrounding areas with different land use types during the entire observation period. The spatial temperature distribution showed that the most affected region was the south-western part of Kampung Baru, which is surrounded by tall buildings. These results are important for urban planning and new developments in Kuala Lumpur.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/ 344644396_Analysis_of_Urban_Morphological_Effect_on_the_Mic

Using a Resilience Model to Manage Floods in Local Planning

The combination of climate change and rapid urbanisation is likely to lead to floods that are much worse than in the past. The complexity of the urbanisation process and the uncertain climate factor are the biggest challenges for urban planners in developing a safe and less vulnerable city. The existing traditional flood management based on flood control measures is not able to cope with the resulting floods. In this context, the concept of resilience has gained much attention as a relatively new approach in urban areas. This paper therefore presents a study on the application of the resilience model for flood management in urban areas. Kuala Lumpur in Southeast Asia was selected as a case study because it is a compact urban area with a high population density. A case study method and a qualitative approach were used to conduct the study. The results of the study show that Kuala Lumpur does not yet have a comprehensive urban flood management programme based on the resilience model. However, the intention to move from typical and conventional measures to a resilient and holistic approach is evident and promising.

https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/48488/

UiTM Researcher Drives Climate Action to Water Sector Transformation (WST) 2040

UiTM Perlis researcher, Dr Jamil Tajam, has been entrusted with a key role within the prestigious Water Sector Transformation 2040 (WST 2040) project, which highlights the crucial link between this initiative and Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) on climate change. The appointment of Dr Jamil Tajam as Advocacy Awareness Capacity Building (AACB) and Public Participatory Platforms Sub-Sector Subject Matter Expert underlines UiTM’s active engagement in addressing the urgent climate crisis. The WST 2040 project, a collaboration between the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister’s Department and the Malaysian Academy of Sciences, is dedicated to developing a comprehensive national roadmap for the transformation of the water sector. This transformative endeavour aims to transform the water sector into a robust economic sector generating employment opportunities and drives science, technology and innovation. Crucially, it aligns with SDG 13 by recognising the central role of the water sector in mitigating climate change and building resilience. The expertise and commitment of Dr Jamil Tajam is instrumental in changing public perceptions, attitudes and behaviour towards our precious water resources, with a clear focus on their essential role in mitigating climate change. By engaging the public, this initiative ensures that people’s collective efforts play a central role in transforming our water sector. This is in line with the principles of SDG 13 and reinforces UiTM’s commitment to climate action.

https://wst2040.my/wp-content/uploads/ 2022/06/1.-Communication-GuideBook.pdf

Educating for Environmental Change: Leveraging Social Media and Influencers to Drive Climate Action Among University Students (SDG 13)

Today, many environmentalists use social media to raise awareness of important environmental issues and encourage pro-environmental behaviour. Social media and social influencers’ effects on pro-environmental behaviour are poorly studied. This study examines student proenvironmental behaviour, advertising literacy, and social influencer leadership to fill this gap. This study used an online questionnaire with four sections: demographics, pro-environmental behaviours, advertising literacy, and social influencer leadership. The study included 128 social media-using students from Malaysia’s largest comprehensive university. This data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that university students are environmentally conscious daily. Additionally, these students are aware of how social media advertising affects their behaviour as active users. The results also showed that university students trust social media influencers’ leadership due to their qualities. This study concludes that university management and policymakers should use social media and social influencers to encourage pro-environmental behaviour, especially among youth. Further research is needed to understand how social media influencers spread pro-environmental behaviours and understand environmental leadership on social media.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362110169_Pro-Environmental_Behaviours_Advertising_Literacy

UiTM’s Rainwater Harvesting Evolution: A Pioneering Step In Climate Change Action

UiTM’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and responsible water management is a cornerstone of its journey to tackle the urgent global issue of climate change. In 2015, the university introduced the Rainwater Harvesting System. Over the years, it has expanded and adapted its approach to address the urgent need for action on climate change as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 13). The university’s journey began with traditional rainwater harvesting tanks, originally intended for plant irrigation. However, as the world struggles with the effects of climate change, the university realised it needed to do more. For this reason, the initiative has evolved significantly to include innovative strategies that focus on climate change resilience and environmental protection. The university is capturing rainwater not only for irrigation, but also for climate change mitigation and adaptation. The expansion of the university’s rainwater harvesting infrastructure, which now includes underground tanks in key areas across campus, including SUKSIS, DATC, UGC and a slimmer version at the guardhouse at the main entrance, underscores the university’s commitment to combating climate change. Today, UiTM has six rainwater harvesting tanks and two more are planned. These tanks, each of which has a significant capacity, not only serve to utilise rainwater for cleaning and domestic purposes, but are also a strategic step towards mitigating climate change. By reducing its reliance on conventional water sources, the university is helping to reduce carbon emissions associated with water treatment and distribution, which is closely linked to SDG 13. The university’s commitment to this initiative is a tangible example of climate action in its community. By raising awareness of the impact of climate change and the collective responsibility to combat it, the UiTM is fostering a culture of environmental awareness and sustainability. Through its actions and advocacy, the university strives to embody the principles of SDG 13 at the core of its ethos and strengthen its commitment to being a responsible and proactive force in the global fight against climate change.

UiTM Diamond Awards 2022 Low Carbon City Challenge

The participation of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in the 2022 Low Carbon City Challenge 2030 (LCC 2030 Challenge) programme for the fourth time has made history, as one zone and six UiTM buildings have successfully received the Diamond Award. This programme, under the Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA), focuses on the challenge of creating low carbon zones in and around major cities and states in Malaysia. The Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) has been entrusted with the organisation of the LCC 2030 Challenge Programme. It is the second phase of the implementation of the Low Carbon City Framework (LCCF) for the period from 2019 to 2030. Through their participation this time, one zone and six UiTM buildings were announced as Diamond Award winners based on their performance in the LCC 2030 Challenge for the year 2022. The carbon reduction percentage and corresponding Diamond Awards for each building are as follows: 

• Section 1, UiTM Shah Alam: 45.27% - 5 Diamonds
• Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences (FSKM): 68.63% - 5 Diamonds
• Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying (FSPU): 8.18% - 2 Diamonds
• Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Chancellery Building: 46.74% - 5 Diamonds • Health Center: 16.35% - 3 Diamonds
• Academy of Language Studies: 37.86% - 4 Diamonds
• Infrastructure and Infostructure Development Office Complex: 7.89% - 2 Diamonds

The measurement criteria for the Section 1 zone at UiTM include the assessment of energy efficiency, water use efficiency, waste management and green spaces. For the UiTM buildings, the measurement criteria focus exclusively on energy efficiency. This remarkable achievement, characterised by successful carbon reduction, underlines UiTM’s sustained commitment to strengthening the sustainability agenda to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The university’s transition to support sustainability is evident in various green initiatives being implemented within the university to reduce carbon emissions and make progress towards becoming a Low Carbon Campus.

https://news.uitm.edu.my/kecemerlangan-berterusan-uitm-untuk-tahun-keempat-syabas-dan-tahniah-pemenang-anugerah-diamond-program-cabaran-bandar-rendah-karbon-2030-lcc-2030-challenge/