2nd Eco-Campus
International Conference 2025

Transforming Higher Education
for Climate Action:
A Whole-System Approach

📍 Date and location: 18-20 September 2025,
Pusat Belia Antarabangsa (International Youth Centre), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

oVERVIEW

This conference will build upon the 1st Eco-Campus International Conference by presenting the activities, roles and future potential of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in bridging academic knowledge and practical solutions for sustainable development.

We invite a diverse group of participants (including educators, students, researchers, facilities managers, policymakers, business leaders and community representatives) to explore strategies, and multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder collaborations involved in a ‘Whole-System Approach’ to Greening Higher Education.

Conference objectives

CALL FOR RESEARCH PAPERS

The 2nd Eco-Campus International Conference invites researchers, educators, and practitioners to submit original research papers that contribute to the advancement of sustainability in higher education. See below the six paper submission themes, guidelines & tentative submission timeline:

Paper Submission Themes

**UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration**
Exploring applied and collaborative strategies for integrating ecosystem restoration into academic programs and campus operations. What ethical and ontological perspectives are guiding this work (for example; indigenous, biocentric, post-human) and how can they help foster interconnectedness and responsibility?

**Greening Education Partnership for Higher Education** What are the roles of Higher Education Institutions in advancing the objectives of the Greening Education Partnership, across disciplines, sectors and education levels? Discuss opportunities and imperatives for inclusion of multiple viewpoints and marginalised voices in a new “Whole-System Approach”.

**Effective Implementation of the Eco-Campus Framework** Sharing innovative approaches and success stories. How can good sustainability practices and quality standards in Higher Education be recognised, enhanced and mainstreamed?

**The Role of Government Policies and Business Practices** Explore the impact of government regulations, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and public-private partnerships on higher education's response to the climate crisis. What opportunities are being found for collaborative learning and transformation across sectors? What are the implications for green careers?

**Greening Vocational Education** Analyse the role of vocational schools in preparing students for Green Jobs and advancing the green transformation in various sectors. Discuss strategies for integrating sustainability competencies into vocational training programs (e.g. hospitality schools and teacher training)

**Student Leadership in Greening Higher Education** What is the role and responsibility of students in Greening Higher Education and how is this advancing learning (as well as environmental) outcomes? Testimonials and examples from the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programme are welcomed.

Guidelines

Stay tuned for requirements and submission portal

Timeline & Deadlines

Call for Submission of Research Papers Announcement: March 2025
Submission Deadline: 15 May 2025
Final Selection: 15 June 2025

Organisers

Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is a global non-governmental organization established in 1981, dedicated to promoting environmental education and sustainability worldwide. With over 100 member organisations in 81 countries and 40 years of impactful experience, FEE empowers institutions and communities through its internationally six recognized environmental education programmes: Eco-Schools, Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE), Learning about Ecosystems & Forests (LEAF), Green Key, Blue Flag and Eco-Campus.

Green Growth Asia Foundation (GGAF) has been a driving force in advancing environmental education and sustainability in Malaysia for a decade. From shaping policies like the Melaka Green City Action Plan to launching Eco-Schools in 2016, GGAF has steadily expanded its impact. In 2022, it became the National Operator for FEE programmes, leading initiatives like Eco-Campus and Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE). Marking its 10th anniversary, GGAF continues to champion sustainability, highlighted by the 2nd Eco-Campus International Conference.

CO-Hosts

PARTNERS

Ministries

Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (KPT)

Supporters

IMT-GT Joint Business Council (JBC)

Centre for IMT-GT Subregional Cooperation

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Malaysian Green Technology And Climate Change Corporation (MGTC)

WWF-Malaysia

University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus

Sunway University

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

Syiah Kuala University (USK)

RESOURCES

1st Eco-Campus International Conference

The 1st Eco-Campus International Conference was held on 26-27 April, 2024 at the ESELx – Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa (Lisbon School of Education) of the Polytechnic University of Lisbon (IPL), in Benfica, Lisbon. Organised by Associação Bandeira Azul de Ambiente e Educação (ABAAE) and the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Lisbon, ESELx, the conference welcomed 110 attendees, including students, academics, facilities staff, and administrators from 15 countries.

2024 Eco-Campus Conference