NURTURING UMMATIC EXCELLENCE THROUGH SDG 13 : CLIMATE ACTION
International Green Gown Awards (IGGA) 2024 – Sustaining Global Leadership in Climate and Sustainability Education
The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) reaffirmed its position as a world leader in sustainability in 2024 by reclaiming the prestigious Sustainability Institution of the Year Award at the International Green Gown Awards (IGGA), held in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
This achievement reflects IIUM’s long-standing commitment to integrating climate action, low-carbon practices, environmental education and community engagement across its whole institution.
In addition to the institutional award, IIUM secured three category wins:
| Category | Winning Project |
| Creating Impact | Nourishing Futures – Malaysia’s First Human Milk Bank Initiative |
| Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges – Disability Inclusion and the OKU4U Sejahtera and Islamic Outreach Flagship Project |
| Student Engagement | WikiKata – A Collaborative Journey to Preserve Indigenous Languages |
Alongside multiple category recognitions, IIUM was shortlisted as a finalist in eight categories, showcasing initiatives that strengthen societal wellbeing, enhance biodiversity conservation, promote youth engagement and advance climate innovation.
| Category | Finalist Project |
| Benefitting Society | Spreading Smiles and Sharing Support through a Sustainable Community Mental Health Project |
| Sejahtera Community Project: Ruang Sejahtera Communal Space and Sustainable Urban Farming at PPR Gombak Setia, Kuala Lumpur | |
| Sejahtera Community: Elderly FELDA Settlers’ Accessibility to Health Promotion and Healthcare Services for Improving Quality of Life | |
| Student Engagement | SCITECH from Zero to Hero: Student Empowerment through Community Engagement |
| Nature Positive | Heaven Honey Hive |
| Reviving Kampung Sungai Ular: Smart Farming Breathes Life into Forgotten Lands | |
| Frugal Innovation – Vertical Aquafarming System (VAS): A University Community Empowerment Project | |
| Climate Action 2030 | Solar Sparks: Illuminating Greener Future with Photovoltaics |
IIUM’s continuous recognition by IGGA since 2020 demonstrates IIUM’s continued excellence in delivering socially impactful solutions, celebrating cultural and linguistic diversity, and empowering students to become agents of sustainability.
IIUM’s recognition at IGGA 2024 affirms its global leadership in advancing climate action and sustainability education. It reinforces the university’s mandate to nurture graduates who embody the spirit of Sejahtera and contribute meaningfully to global climate and sustainability agendas.
Low-carbon energy useCampus energy performance monitoring
The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), in partnership with an energy-efficiency service provider, monitors low-carbon energy consumption across the Gombak Campus using permanent Klemsan KLEA energy analysers linked to a digital Building Automation and Energy Management System. Installed and managed under the Energy Savings Performance Project (ESPA), these systems record real-time power use from all retrofitted buildings, providing verified data on campus electricity consumption and enabling accurate tracking of low-carbon energy use. The project is administered by the IIUM Development Division as part of the university’s sustainability and carbon-reduction monitoring framework.
Low-carbon energy utilisation and verified emission reduction at IIUM
The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) demonstrates strong leadership in low-carbon energy management through the Energy Savings Performance Project (ESPA) and its latest achievement in the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia GreenPASS Assessment 2024.
In 2024, IIUM was awarded the Diamond Rating under SEDA Malaysia’s Low Carbon Buildings Assessment – GreenPASS Operation, recognizing a verified 29.29% reduction in carbon emission equivalent to 12,773.45 tonnes of CO₂ per year and an energy saving of 18,405,546 kWh annually. This national certification affirms IIUM’s tangible progress in decarbonising its campus operations and supporting Malaysia’s climate action commitments.
These initiatives are spearheaded by the IIUM Development Division and complemented by other campus-wide climate actions such as UniRide E-Bike Sharing, food waste composting, and KAED Plant Tagging, all reinforcing IIUM’s holistic green-campus vision.
Local education programmes on climate
Communiversity climate educational programmes through formal and non-formal education
IIUM advances climate-change education through a communiversity approach, integrating both formal and non-formal learning that connects students, academics, and local communities. Through the Sejahtera Centre for Sustainability and Humanity (SC4SH), IIUM Eco Club, IIUM–ICESCO Chair and the Climate Change Policy and Law Centre (CCPLC), the university delivers diverse programmes that build understanding of climate risks, adaptation, and mitigation among youth and residents alike. These initiatives embody IIUM’s vision of humanising education and fulfil the indicator requirement for local education on climate impacts, community preparedness, and resilience.Usrah in Action (SC4SH)
A two-semester experiential learning course under the Sejahtera Curriculum that has mobilised over 12 000 students across 400 projects, benefiting more than 10 000 community members nationwide. In 2024 alone, over 3 000 students undertook more than 100 community-based projects addressing issues such as Flood Preparedness in Bentong, Eco-School Partnerships, Plastic-Free Mahallah Campaigns, and Waste-to-Compost Demonstrations. Each project engaged local councils, schools, and NGOs to promote community awareness of climate adaptation and sustainable living.
International University Administrators Seminar (iNASA) 2024 – Empowering Climate Action in Higher Education
IIUM hosted the International University Administrators Seminar (iNASA 2.0) on 3–4 July 2024, themed “Empowering Administrators for Climate Change Mitigation in Higher Education Institutions.” Organised in partnership with the IIUM Professional and Management Association (PMA) and the Majlis Persatuan Pentadbir Universiti Awam (MASTI), the seminar brought together higher-education professionals, sustainability practitioners and policymakers to explore climate-change mitigation through digital innovation and community engagement. Sessions addressed sustainable campus infrastructure, policy advocacy, green digitalisation and the role of universities in advancing community-based climate resilience. The event promoted knowledge-sharing and capacity-building among Malaysian and regional institutions, fulfilling the indicator requirement for local education programmes on climate-change impacts, adaptation and mitigation.
Source: https://conference.iium.edu.my/nasa/
CCPLC Community Workshops 2024 (AIKOL) – public sessions held with PSPK Gombak and local mosques such as Masjid Kampung Nakhoda and Masjid As-Shariff Gombak, featuring topics like “Policy and Law on Climate Change Malaysia” and “Islam and Environmental Protection”. These events highlight faith-based and legal approaches to local climate adaptation and awareness.
Islam & Environmental Protection | Location: Masjid Kampung Nakhoda Batu Caves
Other local educational programmes conducted in 2024 include:
- River Bioremediation Challenge 2024 (IIUM Eco Club) – a practical competition on river-water restoration using natural bio-filters and aquatic plants, organised with RCE Greater Gombak and the Department of Biotechnology Engineering to educate participants on water pollution mitigation and climate-related hydrological impacts.
- IIUM EcoFest 2024 (IIUM Eco Club) – an annual sustainability festival highlighting renewable-energy innovation, waste-to-art exhibitions, and green entrepreneurship, drawing students and local visitors to interactive booths and talks on low-carbon lifestyles. an annual festival with exhibitions and talks on renewable energy, waste reduction, and climate action.
- Ecology Seminar 2024 (IIUM Eco Club × Kulliyyah of Science) – a community seminar focusing on biodiversity loss, forest conservation, and urban ecological resilience, connecting climate science with everyday environmental stewardship.
- The Ripple Effect: Cinema & Law for Clean Water (CCPLC × Eco Club) – a collaborative outreach programme combining film screening and public discussion on water governance, pollution prevention, and climate adaptation from a legal perspective.
- STEM Awareness and Engagement Campaign through Climate Action (IIUM–ICESCO Chair) – outreach to three schools in Selangor (>300 students) linking STEM to climate solutions.
- Virtual STEM and Engineering Ethics Awareness through Climate Action (IIUM–ICESCO Chair) – online programme (16 Nov 2024) with 150 students from four schools.
- Environmental Sustainability and Carbon Footprint Reduction Workshop (IIUM–ICESCO Chair) – school-based carbon-audit and waste-management activities (5 Dec 2024).
- Engineering and Sustainability Innovation Project (IIUM–ICESCO Chair) – innovation camp at KISAS Klang (19 Dec 2024) developing student-led sustainable engineering prototypes.
- Focus Group Discussion on Engineering Ethics and Climate Resilience (IIUM–ICESCO Chair) – held at Kulliyyah of Engineering (26 Dec 2024) to embed sustainability and ethics in engineering education.
SDG 13: Malaysia’s Commitment and Actions Seminar (IIUM–ICESCO Chair) – awareness session (5 Dec 2024) with the British Council, University of Nottingham, and UKM for university students.
Climate Action Plan
IIUM Climate Action and Sustainability Plan shared through Development Division
The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) implements and publicly shares its Climate Action and Sustainability Plan through the Development Division, aligning operational practices with national low-carbon and resilience strategies. The plan details IIUM’s transition toward a low-emission campus via the Energy Savings Performance Project, GreenPASS Low Carbon Building certification, and ongoing partnerships with local authorities and community stakeholders under RCE Greater Gombak. These actions, disseminated on the Development Division website, outline targets for carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and climate-resilient infrastructure, satisfying the indicator requirement for an institutional climate action plan shared with the local community.
Co-operative planning for climate-change disasters
Regional and community disaster-planning collaboration through IIUM Climate Change Policy and Law CentreIn 2024 the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), through the Climate Change Policy and Law Centre (CCPLC) at the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws (AIKOL), actively participated in regional and local disaster-planning cooperation addressing climate change and displacement impacts. Under the Erasmus+ CBHE Project “Curricula Development on Climate Change Policy and Law”, IIUM worked with ten universities across Asia and Europe and Malaysian government bodies to strengthen capacity in policy and legal frameworks for disaster mitigation and adaptation. CCPLC also conducts climate-disaster planning dialogues, engaging policymakers from Sarawak Energy Berhad, Hanoi Law University, and ASEAN partners. Locally, CCPLC and RCE Greater Gombak partnered with Masjid As-Shariff Gombak and the Association of Social Services and Community Development (PSPK) to deliver awareness workshops on flood risk, water conservation and community disaster readiness. These activities fulfil the indicator requirement for participation in both local and regional co-operative planning on climate-related disasters.
Inform and Support GovernmentIIUM experts advise government on national climate law and disaster policy frameworks
IIUM through its CCPLC, informed and supported government agencies in 2024 on matters of national climate and disaster-risk governance. CCPLC members served as invited review panels for the Terengganu Strategic and Integrity Institute during the Roundtable Discussion on Carbon Credit Trading (20 May 2024) and presented Malaysia’s position at the Taiwan Roundtable on Climate Change and Constitution (22–24 May 2024). These engagements provided technical insights to policymakers on legal instruments for climate-risk monitoring and early warning. The Centre also participated in the Climate Finance Summit 2024 hosted by Bank Negara Malaysia, contributing to policy dialogue on resilience and mitigation. These activities demonstrate IIUM’s formal role in informing and supporting government decision-making on climate change and disaster preparedness.
Presented on climate change law with Taiwan’s Deputy Minister on the Environment during the Taiwan Roundtable on Climate Change and Constitution 2024
Environmental education collaboration with NGO
Collaborative environmental education with NGOs through RCE Greater Gombak partnerships
The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) collaborates actively with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to deliver environmental and climate adaptation education to local communities. In 2024, IIUM, together with the Pertubuhan Sosial Pembangunan Komuniti (PSPK) Gombak, as co-chairs of RCE Greater Gombak, strengthened partnerships with several civil-society groups through workshops and outreach programmes conducted by the Sejahtera Centre for Sustainability and Humanity, the Climate Change Policy and Law Centre (CCPLC), student clubs, and community partners.
Among the joint activities in 2024 were:
• IIUM–PSPK Capacity Building on Climate Action (SDG 13)
• Islam and Environmental Protection at Masjid Kampung Nakhoda
• 3R Jom Fabric: Sharing is Caring (LawSoc and IIUM Eco Club)
• International Youth Centre’s Sekolah SDG Boot CampThese engagements integrated policy literacy, faith-based perspectives, and community participation to build public understanding of environmental ethics and climate adaptation. The evidence demonstrates sustained collaboration between IIUM and registered NGOs in advancing climate education and environmental awareness within the RCE Greater Gombak network.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17PG9Fpzaq/
Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D4DfQ5B7H/
Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ZMzQomP5t/
IIUM Climate Change Policy and Law Centre (CCPLC) – 2024 Activities
The Climate Change Policy and Law Centre (CCPLC) reflects IIUM’s commitment to advancing SDG 13: Climate Action through education, policy innovation and community engagement. As part of IIUM’s communiversity approach, the Centre bridges academic expertise and societal needs, nurturing future climate-policy leaders while supporting national and global climate goals.
In a time of accelerating climate challenges, the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) has emerged as a leading institution championing environmental responsibility through law, policy and community empowerment. At the heart of this effort is the Climate Change Policy and Law Centre (CCPLC), a visionary initiative that turns global aspirations into local action.
Established under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) programme funded by the European Union, the Centre is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr Maizatun Mustafa and her team at the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws (AIKOL). Their mission is to nurture future-ready legal and policy leaders capable of navigating Malaysia’s climate transition and contributing to global climate governance.
Within just one year, the CCPLC has become one of Malaysia’s most active platforms for climate education, policy dialogue and community engagement, embodying IIUM’s ethos of knowledge, service and stewardship (amanah).
The Team Behind the Mission
| Team Member | Role & Expertise |
| Assoc. Prof. Datin Dr Maizatun Mustafa | CCPLC Coordinator; Erasmus+ CCP_LAW Lead; Environmental Law |
| Prof. Dr Farid Sufian Shuaib | Former Dean of AIKOL; Institutional Leadership and Constitutional Law |
| Prof. Dr Sharifah Zubaidah Syed Abdul Kader | Climate Law and Land Law |
| Assoc. Prof. Dr Sonny Zulhuda | IIUM Deputy Legal Adviser; Cybersecurity Law |
| Assoc. Prof. Dr Wan Zulhafiz Wan Zahari | IIUM Company Secretary; Climate Governance and Energy Law |
Postgraduate Climate Law Teaching and Student-Driven Environmental Education
In 2024, IIUM introduced structured academic training on climate-change law through its pilot LL.M. (International Law) – Climate Change Policy and Law Specialisation, conducted from 1 October to 30 December 2024. The programme explored climate governance, climate justice, environmental regulation and policy analysis.
Environmental law students also led awareness campaigns on waste reduction, climate risks and clean-water protection, demonstrating how formal study is complemented by student-driven sustainability education.
Supporting Activities (2024)
| Date | Activity | Focus |
| 1 Oct – 30 Dec 2024 | Pilot LL.M. Climate Law Classes | Climate Regulation and Governance |
| 27 Dec 2024 | “3R Jom Fabric: Sharing is Caring” | Sustainable Consumption and Waste Minimisation |
| 27 Dec 2024 | “The Ripple Effect: Cinema and Law for Clean Water” | Water Protection and Environmental Awareness |
Community Activity (2024)
Project Partner: Gombak Horse Riding Club (Jalan Sungai Pusu)
Activity: Eco-Tourism, Climate Change and Environmental Protection
Date: 6 January 2024 (Saturday) Time: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Venue: Gombak Horse Riding Club, Jalan Sungai Pusu
International Collaboration through Erasmus+ Climate Law Consortium
IIUM plays an active role in the Erasmus+ CBHE CCP_LAW Project, contributing to curriculum development and policy alignment among international partners. In 2024, IIUM co-planned and participated in transnational meetings and capacity-building programmes with universities across Asia and Europe to strengthen legal frameworks for climate education.
Key Engagements (2024)
| Date | Activity | Host | Role |
| 23 – 25 Apr 2024 | 5th Transnational Erasmus+ CCP_LAW Meeting | UUM | Academic Collaboration and Curriculum Development |
| 12 Jun 2024 | Erasmus CBHE Cluster Meeting | UTM Kuala Lumpur | Project Presentation |
| 25 Sep 2024 | EU Pavilion Exhibition | Sunway University | Dissemination and Student Outreach |
This collaboration has strengthened IIUM’s institutional capacity and global academic networks on climate law and policy.
5th Transnational Project Meeting, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Sintok Kedah 23-25 Apr 24
Grassroots Environmental Engagement with Community Organisations
The CCPLC works closely with community groups and NGOs to promote climate awareness, biodiversity protection and water stewardship. Activities in 2024 included eco-tourism education, mosque-based climate talks and youth biodiversity campaigns.
Community Activities (2024)
| Date | Activity | Partner | Venue and Focus |
| 6 Jan 2024 | Eco-Tourism and Climate Education | Gombak Horse Riding Club | Sungai Pusu – Conservation Awareness |
| 7 Jan 2024 | Water Conservation Awareness Talk | Masjid As-Shariff Gombak | Water Stewardship and Climate Ethics |
| 20 Dec 2024 | Quartz Ridge Conservation | Local Community | Kampung Kemensah – Biodiversity Protection |
| 21 Dec 2024 | Islam and Environmental Stewardship | Masjid Kampung Nakhoda | Youth Climate Leadership and Advocacy |
These initiatives empowered young people and local communities to practise environmental responsibility and climate-aware behaviour.
Thought Leadership in National Climate Policy Dialogue
CCPLC members contributed expert insights to national policy events on carbon markets, climate finance and just transition, supporting public-private dialogue and policy literacy.
Policy and Industry Engagements (2024)
| Date | Event | Institution | Role |
| 20 May 2024 | Carbon Credit Roundtable | Terengganu Strategic and Integrity Institute | Reviewer (Climate Law) |
| 1 Aug 2024 | Climate Finance Summit | Bank Negara Malaysia | Participant |
| 20 – 24 Sep 2024 | Humphrey Global Policy Dialogue and COP29 Forum | MIGHT Cyberjaya | Presenter and Panel Contributor |
| 24 Sep 2024 | Environmental Health Climate Session | Petronas KLCC | Presenter |
These contributions positioned IIUM as a key voice in Malaysia’s energy transition and climate-governance ecosystem.A major milestone in 2024 was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between IIUM and Sarawak Energy Berhad (6 June 2024), focusing on policy and law in green and renewable energy, one of the core areas of the CCPLC.
Outcomes, Impact and Future Plans of the CCPLC
- Build long-term networks between IIUM, industry partners, government bodies and NGOs.
- Strengthen global visibility and academic collaboration on climate law.
- Develop curricula that promote social inclusion and societal relevance.
- Enhance institutional capacity through staff training and ownership of sustainability initiatives.
- Ensure financial sustainability through diverse funding and research grants.
Awards and Recognitions 2024
- AIKOL Community Engagement and Innovation Award – CCPLC
- IIUM Alumni Community Engagement Award – Assoc. Prof. Dr Maizatun Mustafa
- Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship (USA) – Assoc. Prof. Dr Wan Zulhafiz Wan Zahari (Climate Governance, Energy Law and ESG)
- NAPREC Research Grant – Prof. Sharifah Zubaidah Syed Abdul Kader
FRGS Grant on Waqf and Climate Adaptation – Prof. Sharifah Zubaidah Syed Abdul Kader
