Sustainable Environment Challenges in Malaysian Public Universities: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This systematic literature review discusses the myriad challenges hindering environmental sustainability in Malaysian public universities. As institutions responsible for educating future leaders and advancing innovation, universities play a pivotal role in addressing the problem of global environmental degradation. This paper synthesizes current literature on the main environmental challenges faced by these institutions, including waste management, energy consumption, water resource management, and loss of biodiversity. Furthermore, it explores policy structures and sustainable practices currently in place, highlights the vital roles of each stakeholder, and demonstrates best practices through relevant case studies, including Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and Universiti Teknologi MARA. In addition, the review identifies significant barriers to implementing sustainable practices, including budget constraints, lack of awareness, and resistance to change. Based on these findings, the article suggests future directions toward integrating sustainability into academic programs, fostering collaborative research activities, and strengthening community engagement to support environmental stewardship in Malaysian universities.