Abstract
Globally there is an increasing focus on green and sustainability practice within university campuses. However, this is not the case in Malaysia. This paper proposes a green maturity framework for Malaysian universities based on having identified criteria for achieving greener university campus relevant to Malaysian context. Additionally, obstacles faced by universities in the development of green university campuses are identified. Two sets of questionnaire survey forms were used to collect data. The questionnaire for identifying green campus rating criteria to form the Green University Campus Maturity (GUCM) Assessment Tool based on 9 categories was distributed to GBI facilitators. The criteria’s weightage for scoring was based on the average level of importance as decided by the respondents. The questionnaire for identifying the obstacles faced by universities (Areas to Address) was categorized into economic, organizational and social/behavioural/technical and distributed to the respective Department of Sustainable Development staff in public universities. Lack of relevant managerial experience in implementing green university projects and lack of funding were found to be the main obstacles in the development of green university campus. The GUCM Assessment Tool alongside the Areas to Address can be used as a county-specific GUCM framework for achieving progressive sustainability attainment by Malaysian universities.
Highlights
There are some confusion with regards to the term “green” and “sustainability”
A total of 35 questionnaires were received with completed responses from Green Building Index (GBI) facilitators and 11 questionnaires received from staff of the Department of Sustainable Development of public universities in Malaysia
This research can have a significant impact on universities and other related parties in Malaysia in attaining a higher level of awareness regarding the obstacles in implementing the green university campus concept
Summary
There are some confusion with regards to the term “green” and “sustainability”. From reviewing extant research literature on the subject of sustainability of university campuses, it is clear that it is covered under both the categories of “green” and “sustainability”. In order to maintain Malaysia’s aspiration as a low carbon, sustainable building and infrastructure hub [2], the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) has formulated The Malaysian Construction Industry Transformation Programme (CITP), which amongst other major aspirations, aims to achieve sustainability by implementing environmentally sustainable construction practices aims to reduce irresponsible discarding of construction waste as well as damage and repair expenditure to start with and pursue the aim of a sustainable future. There have been many strategies and approaches that have been implemented, both by governments and private entities, which is seeing considerable progress in some major areas of concern; such as improving energy efficiency One such approach is through the use of green assessment or rating tools, which targets specific aspects of the built environment. These strategies and approaches within the sustainability agenda is seen as transitioning away from unsustainable practices. The obstacles related to the development of green campus are identified to enable the structuring of a more holistic Green University Campus Maturity (GUCM) framework that can be used as a tool by practitioners
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