Community adoption of a low-carbon lifestyle programme In Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

Urban climate change poses growing challenges, prompting communities to adopt low-carbon lifestyle practices to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Sustainable urban development relies not only on government policies and technological infrastructure, but also on proactive behavioural change at the community level. This study explores how communities adopt low-carbon practices, the role of local leadership in promoting behavioural shifts, and how these efforts contribute to national sustainability goals. Framed within four Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), this research aims to understand how everyday sustainable actions influence collective behaviour and long-term community engagement. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven participants, including the chairman and committee members of Local Action 21 Kuala Lumpur (LA21KL). Thematic analysis using NVivo R1.7 software revealed five core themes: Developing Leaders through Mentoring which promotes environmental leadership and collective ownership; Striving for Inclusive Sustainable Development Goals which encourages broader public participation; Enhancing Urban Farming contributes to food resilience and sustainability awareness; Expanding Recycling Initiatives which improves waste management efficiency; and Strengthening Economic Sustainability which offers scalable models for sustaining participation through local green economy strategies. These findings are consolidated in a proposed Framework for Leadership and Mentoring in Sustainable Community Development, representing a novel contribution to community-based sustainability research. The study provides policymakers and urban sustainability advocates with practical insights and community-driven strategies that strengthen Kuala Lumpur's ambition to become a low-carbon city by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Unlike previous research that focuses on limited aspects, this comprehensive approach examining five interrelated themes with eleven community informants provides deeper qualitative insights into the adoption of sustainable lifestyles at the community level.