About IMELC

The Iskandar Malaysia Ecolife Challenge (IMELC) is a high-impact programme facilitated by Johor State Education Department (JPNJ), Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), and University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) since 2013. IMELC serves as a student learning platform on Low Carbon Society (LCS) practices through formal and informal education, supplementary learning activities, and inter-school competitions, with the aim of nurturing environmentally responsible and sustainability-conscious future generations. The implementation of IMELC 2026 is carried out in collaboration with Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP), SWM Environment Sdn Bhd and Yayasan Raja Zarith Sofiah Negeri Johor as the Main Partners, while Kulai Municipal Council (MPKu), Segamat Municipal Council (MPSegamat), and Heng Hiap Industries serve as Supporting Partners. IMELC 2025 also receives support from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Since 2021, the programme has been fully digitalised through an online platform sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Labs and supported by the Green Technology Application for the Development of Low Carbon Cities (GTALCC).IMELC is also one of the key programmes under RCE Iskandar – Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development, supported by the United Nations University. The programme aims to create awareness of Low Carbon Society (LCS) among students, teachers, and families in supporting carbon reduction targets for Iskandar Malaysia. In line with the growing need for sustainable talent development under the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), IMELC strengthens green skills, environmental leadership, and sustainability awareness from the school level through continuous exposure, experiential learning, and institutional collaboration. The programme also contributes to key state and regional frameworks, including Local Plans, Smart City initiatives, the SDG Action Plan, and the Johor Green Deal. To address climate challenges and accelerate low-carbon development, Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) launched the Low Carbon Blueprint Iskandar Malaysia 2030 Climate Action Plan during the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Egypt. The blueprint recognises IMELC as a key programme to strengthen Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) initiatives for low-carbon development in Iskandar Malaysia. IMELC also supports Malaysia’s aspiration to achieve carbon neutrality as early as 2050, including the national target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity of gross domestic product (GDP) by 45% by 2030. The programme contributes directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Through its implementation, IMELC promotes environmental awareness, positive behavioural change, and the development of future sustainability leaders. Recognised by JPNJ for supporting Cross-Curriculum Elements (Elemen Merentas Kurikulum – EMK), IMELC is positioned as a high-impact initiative within Johor’s education ecosystem. The year 2026 marks the fourteenth (14th) year of IMELC implementation. The programme is expected to benefit approximately 100,000 Year 6 students from 909 primary schools across Johor, with an estimated outreach of up to 500,000 members of the wider school community.