From awareness to action: sustainability practices and engagement gaps in Malaysian public universities

Purpose This study examines the persistent gap between sustainability awareness and actual practices among stakeholders in Malaysian public universities, and investigates the institutional and behavioural factors that mediate this gap. Using the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking as an integrative benchmark, the study evaluates the extent to which sustainability principles are embedded in institutional operations, academic activities and campus culture across all 20 public universities in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative cross-sectional survey was administered to 7,420 respondents, comprising students, academic staff and administrative personnel. The research instrument was aligned with the six UI GreenMetric dimensions: setting and infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, transportation and education and research. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, effect size (η²) and Cohen's d to assess inter-university and inter-group differences in sustainability awareness and practices. Findings Results confirm a persistent awareness-practice gap (awareness M = 3.78; practice M = 3.34). Statistically significant differences exist across universities (F = 9.4212.85, p < 0.001; η² = 0.024–0.031) and stakeholder groups (F = 26.15–34.82, p < 0.001), with students demonstrating the highest engagement and administrative staff the lowest. Top-ranked institutions such as Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) consistently outperform lower-tier institutions, reflecting advantages in governance, infrastructure and leadership commitment. Practical effect sizes, however, indicate that institutional differences, while statistically significant, are small in magnitude, suggesting systemic rather than individual factors drive the gap. Research limitations/implications Although this study expands coverage to all Malaysian public universities, it remains cross-sectional and cannot capture longitudinal behavioural changes or causal relationships. Future research should adopt longitudinal or mixed-method approaches and extend comparative analysis to ASEAN universities to enhance regional benchmarking and policy relevance. Practical implications The study underscores the need for universities to institutionalise sustainability governance through strategic planning, resource allocation and performance-based monitoring aligned with UI GreenMetric indicators. Establishing a national or regional green campus consortium could facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing and standardisation of sustainability practices across institutions. Social implications By addressing the awareness-practice gap, universities can strengthen their role as societal change agents in promoting environmental responsibility and sustainable lifestyles. Enhancing stakeholder engagement at all organisational levels contributes to building a sustainability-driven culture that supports Malaysia's transition toward a low-carbon, resilient society. Originality/value This paper offers the first comprehensive, nationwide empirical assessment of sustainability awareness and behavioural practices across all 20 Malaysian public universities using the UI GreenMetric framework. By integrating institutional and stakeholder perspectives, it advances a holistic understanding of how universities of varying sizes, missions and resource capacities can transform sustainability awareness into sustained behavioural change, providing a replicable and scalable model for higher education systems in developing regions.