SDG 7.4.2

Sunway University is committed to sustainability, setting clear and measurable targets to reduce carbon emissions, with the ultimate goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2030. As part of this commitment, Sunway University has initiated to divert to renewable energy since 2018 strategically, reinforcing our role as environmental stewards and actively involving the university community in our sustainability journey. The campus itself serves as a living lab for sustainable practices, setting a regional example.

To achieve these ambitious goals, Sunway University has taken significant steps, including the installation of solar panels since 2018. These panels generate an average of 2,318 GJ of solar energy annually, contributing to our daily energy consumption. In line with the 100% renewable energy pledge, the University continues to expand our renewable energy capacity and implement energy efficiency measures. These include the use of motion sensor lights, the reuse of rainwater in our centralized chiller system, and other energy-efficient fittings. Together, these initiatives form part of our comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions and achieve a fully sustainable energy infrastructure by 2030.

Beyond the campus, Sunway University has taken a public pledge to promote renewable energy solutions at the national and international levels, positioning its initiatives as part of the broader transition to 100% renewable energy. In 2024, in collaboration with Lancaster University through Future Cities Research Institute (FCRI), the University secured a grant for a 3-years project titled “Building Future Net-Zero Cities with Zero-Emissions Portland Cement”, with the overall goal to develop the world’s first renewable-powered, zero-emissions electrochemical manufacturing process for Portland Cement to decarbonise the construction of future cities. This initiative demonstrates our public advocacy for net-zero solutions that extend far beyond own institutional boundaries.  

Sunway University also extends its pledge through community-focused innovation and international knowledge-sharing. Our award-winning project “Innovative Solar Dryer Technology as a Solution for Seaweed Farmers: Supporting the Achievement of SDGs 7, 11 and 13” shows how renewable energy can empower local communities, reduce carbon-intensive practices, and improve livelihoods. 

Furthermore, the organisation of the 2nd International Conference on Emerging Materials for Sustainable Energy and Environment (EMSEE 2024) by the Sunway Centre for Electrochemical Energy and Sustainable Technology, Faculty of Engineering & Technology on 16-18 December 2024—which involved more than 50 participants from global universities, industries, and research institutes, and attracted over 100 abstract submissions—created a platform for global dialogue on Green and Clean Energy. Selected papers will be published in ECS Sensors Plus, a peer-reviewed international journal by The Electrochemical Society, ensuring global visibility and credibility of the outcomes. These efforts represent not only actions but a public commitment to advocate, disseminate, and champion renewable energy adoption beyond the university itself. 

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