UPM Advances Sustainability Agenda Through World Environment Day 2026 Celebration

By: Husnina Zahra Hadri
Photos by: Saleha Haron

SERDANG, 9 June – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability by bringing together its university community for the World Environment Day 2026 Celebration, deepening awareness of planetary health and environmental stewardship.

UPM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd. Sadullah FASc, said the celebration serves as a vital platform to solidify understanding of the shared responsibility of safeguarding the environment and promoting planetary health.

“This celebration is more than a commemoration of World Environment Day. It is an opportunity to reinforce the role of every individual in protecting the environment for future generations.

“Advancing the sustainability agenda requires the collective commitment of the university’s leadership, academics, staff and students to ensure that every initiative is translated into meaningful action,” he said.

He added that efforts to advance planetary health also generate opportunities for researchers and scholars to pioneer innovative solutions that contribute to national development and elevate societal well-being.

Meanwhile, UPM Centre for Strategy and Corporate Relations (PSPK) Deputy Director (Strategic Management), Dr. Ahmad Salahuddin Mohd. Harithuddin, said this year’s celebration, themed “Inspired by Nature, For Climate, For Our Future,” reflects the escalating urgency of addressing climate change, environmental pollution and ecosystem degradation.

“The programme is one of the flagship initiatives under Bulan Sinergi Putra, designed to foster unity, social responsibility and a culture of sustainability across the UPM community.

“I believe meaningful change begins with small, collective actions. Whether through energy conservation, responsible waste management or sustainable lifestyle choices, every effort contributes towards building a more sustainable future,” he said.

He noted that a series of activities had been curated to stimulate active participation from the university community in propelling UPM’s sustainability agenda.

Highlights of the celebration included the launch forum for the UPM Planetary Health and Sustainability Blueprint, an inter-departmental sustainability innovation competition, a TikTok sustainable lifestyle challenge and a diverse array of environmental awareness programmes aimed at embedding sustainable practices across the campus.