Taylor’s Education Group (TEG) is taking bold steps to turn its 10 campuses and schools into living, breathing models of environmental leadership.

Floods, haze, and extreme heat have become familiar threats to school life in Southeast Asia. Weather disruptions have led to frequent school closures putting education at risk and exposing the need for stronger climate resilience.

At the same time, a 2024 UNESCO report warned that while education is crucial in fighting climate change, it remains largely absent from most national climate strategies. This gap creates an urgent need for institutions to rethink their role not just in teaching about climate, but in becoming part of the solution.

Embedding ESG from Policy to Practice

At the heart of this movement is the Taylor’s ESG Festival, recently held at Taylor’s Lakeside Campus. Themed “Embedding Impact: From Action to Culture,” the event marked the next phase of Taylor’s commitment to climate action anchored on three major pillars:

1. Measurable impact
2. Sustainable campuses
3. ESG in daily operations

More than 230 people, including students, educators, sustainability leaders, and social entrepreneurs came together to explore how change can start from within and ripple outward. The festival featured hands-on workshops, an Impact Bazaar, and a powerful panel on regenerative futures. The message was consistent: sustainability must become a lifestyle, not just a lesson.

Driving Change with Data and Transparency

One of the most ambitious parts of TEG’s climate strategy is its new centralised impact measurement dashboard. This tool tracks carbon emissions and sustainability performance across every TEG institution in three countries.

With this system, every campus can take ownership of their own data using it to make informed choices, reduce emissions, and report progress transparently. The dashboard also supports student research and innovation, turning campus operations into real-time learning labs.

This kind of accountability helps build trust with stakeholders while aligning the Group with global climate frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Green Classrooms, Greener Commutes

TEG also announced major efforts to transform its campuses into sustainability showcases. This includes physical upgrades, policy changes, and education tools all designed to reduce environmental impact and inspire greener habits.

Here’s how that’s happening on the ground:

• The Green Classroom Initiative uses recycled materials, energy-efficient lighting, and ventilation systems to reduce waste and emissions. It also removes single-use plastics. In some campuses like Nexus International School, programs such as the Forest Walk let students engage with nature and understand ecosystems firsthand.
• The Sustainable Transport Plan supports low-emission commuting. The group aims to electrify its shuttle fleets by 2030, add more EV chargers, and promote carpooling. Smart scheduling and transport data tracking help reduce congestion and emissions.
• Net-Zero Energy Campus pilots are already in motion. British University Vietnam has earned EDGE green building certification, while Taylor’s University now uses a Thermal Energy Storage system to cut energy use during peak hours. Solar panels and smart utilities are also being installed and monitored.

Each of these efforts makes the campus not just sustainable, but interactive and inspiring, encouraging students and staff to take part in climate solutions every day.

Making Sustainability a Habit, Not Just a Policy

Beyond data and design, TEG is also tackling how resources are used and sourced. Through its Green Procurement Policy, the group ensures that all products, services, and vendors meet ethical and sustainable standards.

From classroom materials to catering and maintenance, everything is evaluated for its environmental and social impact. This approach not only reduces emissions but also sends a strong signal to suppliers and partners that sustainability is non-negotiable.

“Sustainability isn’t just a target to meet; it’s a mindset we nurture, a behaviour we model, and a culture we live every day,” said Dato’ Loy Teik Ngan, Chairman of Taylor’s Education Group. “We want to create campuses that inspire students to make sustainability part of everything they do.”

A Festival That Fuels Real Action

The ESG Festival wasn’t just about announcements. It was about real conversations, real people, and real action. In the panel titled “Shaping a Regenerative Future through Mindsets, Metrics and Movements,” experts from CIMB Bank, Pos Malaysia, and ESGpedia shared how companies can align sustainability with business goals.

Participants also explored local solutions through the Impact Bazaar, where student projects and community initiatives showcased how small actions can lead to big change. These included upcycled crafts, food waste projects, and urban gardening ideas each demonstrating the power of creativity in solving climate challenges.

Leading the Way for Southeast Asia’s Education Sector

With this region-wide ESG strategy, Taylor’s Education Group sets a new standard for how educational institutions can lead the climate conversation. It’s no longer enough to talk about sustainability in the classroom. Institutions must live it, measure it, and share it.

By connecting education with environment, policy with practice, and students with solutions, TEG is building campuses that don’t just teach about the future but they also protect it.

To explore the Group’s full ESG journey and initiatives, visit: https://esg.taylorsedu.my