Background

For many years, countries across the world have recognized energy efficiency programme as a crucial strategy to energy security measures – to prolong global fossil fuel's reserves such that the existing reserves would last longer, and such that the world would not face energy shortage in the future. The world's economy depends strongly on energy, and every country, and every institution in a country, is responsible to ensure that energy supply security is maintained and safeguarded, minimizing any possibilities of price fluctuations, cuts and disruptions. More importantly to the immediate consumers, energy efficiency initiatives provide direct savings by reducing or eliminating consumption wastes.

Incidentally too, the world at large is facing a big challenge with regards to emissions of greenhouse gases giving rise to climate change. About three-quarter of the effect of greenhouse gas emissions is caused by the energy systems and their chain. Hence, energy efficiency has a direct impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As a responsible institute of higher learning, through energy efficiency measures, UMP is undertaking its share of responsibility to contribute to the mitigation of these greenhouse gases.

Malaysia's total emissions in 2009 (the latest available data, then) from consumption of energy amounted to 148.01 million tonnes, ranking at no 32 among the world (with China at 7,710 mil tonnes, United States at 5,424 mil tonnes and India at 1,602 mil tonnes, as the first three top countries, and just below Singapore which ranks at no 31). Based on emissions per capita, however, Malaysia's figure ranks on the lower side, at 5.1 tonnes (close to China at 5.83 tonnes), as compared to Singapore at 34.59 tonnes, United States at 17.67 tonnes, and Indonesia at 1.72 tonnes). Inspite of Malaysia's total emissions and total emissions per capita figure being on the lower side, being an environmentally-committed nation Malaysia has joined the global community in cutting down its carbon emissions.

In December 2009, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009, 15th Conference of Parties (COP-15), the Prime Minister of Malaysia made a pledge that Malaysia would adopt an indicator of a voluntary reduction of up to 40 percent in terms of emissions intensity of GDP by the year 2020 compared to the 2005 level. (This indicator is conditional upon receiving the transfer of technology and finance of adequate and effective levels from Annex 1 partners of Kyoto Protocol). Indeed, this is a noble and ambitious pledge made by His Excellency the Prime Minister to the global community – and UMP will stand by his side to support and implement its share of the national goal. (In a report by the Prime Minister in September 2015, Malaysia had achieved 32 percent of the 2020 target, indicating an achievement well ahead of time).

Green Campus Blueprint (Download)