KUALA LUMPUR, 11 April 2025 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) reinforced its leadership in advancing climate governance and sustainability education by hosting a high-impact satellite seminar as part of the National Climate Governance Summit (NCGS) 2025. Themed “Transition Finance: The Foundation of the Transition Economy,” the seminar served as a vital platform to strengthen discourse on transition finance within the higher education landscape, aligning seamlessly with Malaysia’s 2025 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Chairmanship theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” The event, which was hosted virtually via Webex and live-streamed through the UTM Campus Sustainability (UTMCS) Facebook page, showcased UTM’s proactive role in mobilizing academic leadership and research capacities to support ASEAN’s low-carbon transition.
As the ASEAN region stands at a developmental crossroads, being the fifth-largest economy globally and a significant net-exporting bloc, it faces the dual challenge of maintaining economic dynamism while addressing climate vulnerabilities. The seminar addressed the importance of transition finance, which refers to the strategic mobilization of capital for decarbonizing high-emission sectors and facilitating an inclusive, net-zero transformation. According to summit organizers, including Climate Governance Malaysia (CGM), unlocking ASEAN’s green economy, estimated at US$300 billion by 2030, hinges on leveraging both public and private financing instruments to steer structural economic change. UTM’s seminar provided a timely and scholarly lens on these pressing issues by connecting financial mechanisms with university governance, research innovation, and regional cooperation.
The seminar featured two distinguished keynote speakers whose expertise enriched the discourse with rigorous analysis and regional relevance. Dr. Hjh. Rafidah Othman, a Senior Lecturer at Azman Hashim International Business School (AHIBS), opened the session on the topic of Bridging Sustainable Finance: The Role of Value-Based Intermediation (VBI) & ESG in Transition Finance- A Malaysian Perspective. The key takeaway is the challenges faced by the organization in achieving sustainability. She also highlights the performance of the Malaysian capital market toward sustainable investing and transitioning finance into impactful climate action. Her presentation advocated for embedding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indicators into institutional frameworks and encouraged universities to leverage green bonds and blended finance mechanisms to enhance campus sustainability.
Following this, Dr. Wan Nurul Mardiah Wan Mohd Rani of the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) provided insights into regional cooperation and transnational knowledge exchange in climate governance. Her talk, titled “Resilient Cities and Climate Finance: Integrating Risk-Sensitive Planning for a Sustainable Future,” emphasized the importance of collaborative approaches in addressing urban climate risks. She highlighted how risk-sensitive planning, supported by transition finance, can strengthen sustainability efforts in Malaysian cities. Dr. Wan Nurul Mardiah also underscored the value of cross-border partnerships and shared expertise in building resilient urban systems, offering practical strategies tailored to Malaysia’s context.
The seminar was skillfully moderated by Dr. Wan Farah Wani Wan Fakhruddin, a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), whose academic focus on environmental sociology and governance enabled her to draw connections between climate policy, institutional practice, and community impact. The discussions converged on several core themes, including the necessity of aligning financial strategies with sustainability key performance indicators (KPIs), fostering inclusivity in access to climate financing, and operationalizing ESG principles within academic and research institutions. Participants were also introduced to practical models such as internal carbon pricing, sustainable procurement practices, and academic-industry collaborations for green innovation.
Beyond institutional learning, the seminar carried broader implications for ASEAN’s climate diplomacy. As part of the larger NCGS 2025 hosted at Sasana Kijang, a central hub for financial governance and policy in Malaysia, the UTM satellite seminar contributed a critical academic voice to national and regional climate discourse. With its thematic alignment to “Transition Finance: The Foundation of the Transition Economy,” the event reaffirmed Malaysia’s leadership in promoting climate-resilient economic models and emphasized the importance of educational institutions in driving systems-level change. The involvement of UTM in strategic partnerships with CGM and the ASEAN Learning Alliance for Malaysia (ALAM) further strengthens its position as a hub for sustainability education, knowledge exchange, and policy innovation within Southeast Asia.
UTM’s Campus Sustainability Seminar emerged as more than an academic event—it was a clarion call for bold, inclusive, and finance-driven climate action in ASEAN and the wider Global South. By bridging financial innovation, academic research, and regional cooperation, the seminar positioned UTM as a thought leader in addressing climate emergencies through the lens of just transition and sustainability governance. As ASEAN navigates its journey towards net-zero transformation, UTM’s continued commitment to climate literacy, institutional leadership, and intersectoral collaboration will play a pivotal role in shaping a more resilient and equitable future. For full access to the seminar recording and further resources, the public is invited to visit the official UTM Campus Sustainability Facebook page.
Prepared by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Shamsul Sarip, Zainal Affandi Zainal Abidin, Nurulhuda Radznam from Office of Campus Sustainability, Dr Wan Farah Wani Wan Fakhruddin, Dr. Rafidah Othman and Dr. Wan Nurul Mardiah Wan Mohd Rani from UTM, in conjunction with NCGS 2025 Satellite Seminar.