SUSTAINABILITY@UM

UM Carbon Neutrality Acceleration Living Labs

In response to Universiti Malaya’s aspiration to become a carbon-neutral campus by 2050, this new living labs grant is introduced. In the context of UM as city campus, there are strategic interventions that needs to be addressed for achieving this goal. UM Carbon Neutrality Acceleration Living Labs refers to living lab projects that are designed to significantly contribute to carbon neutral performance of the university.

This project recommends the following four (4) areas of research:
● Renewable energy generation
● Carbon neutral facilities
● Carbon neutral communities
● Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions reductions

It is important to highlight that this specific Living Labs is designed to address the following Greenhouse Gases (GHG) Protocol (More information: https://ghgprotocol.org/)

Scope 1: Direct Direct emissions from UM-owned and controlled resources. In other words, emissions are released into the atmosphere as a direct result of a set of activities, at the Universiti Malaya level. It is divided into four categories: i. Stationary Combustion (fuels and heating sources) ii. Mobile Combustion (all vehicles owned or controlled by UM, burning fuel (e.g., cars, van, shuttle bus, trucks) iii. Fugitive Emissions (leaks from Greenhouse Gases e.g refrigeration, air conditioning units iv. Process Emissions (released during industrial processes, and on-site manufacturing e.g., production of Carbon Dioxide during cement manufacturing, factory fumes, chemicals)

Scope 2: Indirect Indirect emissions from generation of purchased energy, from a utility provider. In other words, all GHG emissions released in the atmosphere, from the consumption of purchased electricity, steam, heat and cooling.

Scope 3: Indirect All indirect emissions not included in Scope 2 – that occur in the value chain of the organization (in this case, Universiti Malaya), including both upstream and downstream emissions. In other words, emissions are linked to UM’s operations: purchased goods and services, capital goods, fuel and energy related, transportation and distribution, waste from operations, business travel, employee commute, leased assets, used of sold products.

While embedding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its operational modus operandi, the UM Carbon Neutrality Acceleration Living Labs offers real examples of on-the ground initiatives based on interdisciplinary action research model designed to meet decarbonization goals. This exciting funding opportunity from UM Sustainability and Development Centre (UMSDC) targets research and engagement efforts that will create critical knowledge and propel innovations to accelerate UM’s transition to carbon neutrality. Through novel collaborations across disciplines and with strategic sustainability partners committed to advance carbon neutrality and decarbonization strategies, this Living Labs seek to amplify and expand the Universiti Malaya’s research impact needed to combat climate change. This intervention supports the UM’s participation in Low Carbon Cities Framework (LCCF) which is now rebranded as Low Carbon Cities Challenge 2030 (LCC 2030) by the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC).

More information on UM’s performance in LCCF:
https://sustainability.um.edu.my/um-in-low-carbon-cities-framework-lccf

UM Carbon Neutrality Acceleration Living Labs Leaders:
Cycle 1 2022/2023

LL2022CN001 - Dr. Muhammad Shakeel Ahmad (HICOE UMPEDAC) CONVERSION OF COOLING SYSTEM OF UM SHUTTLE TO SOLAR PLUS BATTERY WITH PLUG-IN CHARGING
LL2022CN002 - Ir. Dr. Khairunnisa Hasikin (Faculty of Engineering UM) ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) ASSISTED GREENHOUSE GASES EMISSION MONITORING TOWARDS ACHIEVING CARBON NEUTRAL CAMPUS
LL2022CN003 - Dr. Fong Chng Saun (Institute of Advanced Studies - IAS UM) DEVELOPMENT OF A CENTRALIZED DIGITAL TOOL FOR LOCAL GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) EMISSIONS

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