Exploring university students’ perception and acceptance of carbon-neutral lifestyle in the perspective of Universiti Malaya Eco-Campus Blueprint

Purpose This paper aims to determine the perception and acceptance of a carbon-neutral lifestyle among Universiti Malaya (UM) first-year students, covering eight core areas of sustainable campus as listed in the UM Eco-Campus Blueprint that is in accordance with Universitas Indonesia GreenMetric and sustainable development goals. The measurement and analyses disclosed the most critical aspect that should be highly considered by the university’s management to normalise the carbon-neutral lifestyle on campus. Design/methodology/approach A set of self-reported questionnaires on a carbon-neutral lifestyle that is guided by a seven-point scale where 1 indicates “not a priority”/“totally unacceptable” and 7 chooses “essential priority”/“perfectly acceptable”. The analyses started with descriptive analyses to establish the norm and pattern, then it was followed by one-way ANOVA to determine any significant differences in the respondents’ perceptions and acceptance towards the carbon-neutral lifestyle according to independent variables: gender and field of study. Findings Most of the 5,266 respondents exhibited a positive perception and acceptance of a carbon-neutral lifestyle, with total mean values ranging from 5.60 to 6.30, indicating a “highly priority” or “acceptable” level. These findings indicate that sustainability principles have been effectively embedded within the education system, promoting environmental awareness and encouraging responsible, pro-environmental behaviour among students. In addition, the study provides practical guidance for enhancing the application of the theory of planned behaviour in pro-environmental behaviour research, particularly within higher education institutions (HEIs). Nonetheless, gender and field of study should be considered in future environmental protection initiatives to ensure that interventions are appropriately targeted and effective. Originality/value The findings of this research contribute some information about the current perspective of the young generation on the carbon-neutral lifestyle that can provide an idea on the development or implementation of related regulations and policies. Conducting the survey among first-year students who have just entered HEIs establishes a baseline knowledge of incoming perspectives of sustainability and carbon neutrality. This insight enables HEIs to tailor their communication strategies and educational resources effectively.