INTEGRATING UI GREEN METRIC AND ECO ACTION 21 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE INDICES INTO AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA

Abstract

The University of Malaya (UM) Environmental Competition began in 2009 as a coopetitive (competitive and cooperative) environmental assessment framework for its 12 residential colleges. To date, the competition has resulted in improved environmental performances of the residential colleges, both in terms of quality and quantity. This paper will introduce the UM Environmental Competition Criteria and sustainability framework formulation, in particular its environmental assessment methodology which has been implemented and improved organically overtime. The paper will also share the authors’ rationale and experience in evolving the approach, especially the mechanisms of the environmental assessment over 2013. The insights gained from this paper can encourage other universities to consider using the coopetitive approach to kick-start their campus sustainability assessment activities, taking into consideration the unique realities of their campus environment.