Action Plans for Energy Mitigation in Higher Education Institutions
摘要
Energy is frequently identified as a key driver of climate change, with the majority of global energy production relying on fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas. These resources are carbon-intensive, and their combustion releases significant quantities of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the Earth’s atmosphere. Among these, carbon dioxide and methane are the primary contributors to global warming, which, in turn, causes extreme weather events and broader climate changes. Consequently, the governance and management of higher education institutions (HEIs) play a crucial role in addressing climate change. This chapter presents a review of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), a sustainability-oriented university in Malaysia, exploring its implementation of energy efficiency (EE) and energy conservation (EC) strategies. USM has spearheaded several initiatives, including (i) establishing a dedicated department to lead education and training in energy efficiency, (ii) formulating policies and partnerships to promote EE and EC, (iii) utilizing renewable energy sources to generate electricity for campus operations, and (iv) embedding best practices in EE and EC across various departments. These initiatives not only enhance the university’s sustainability efforts but also contribute significantly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG7, which emphasizes access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.