A transformative approach to environmental impact assessment: linking SDGs with innovation in teaching

The subject for Environmental Assessment reviews the environmental resources available and identifies the causes of environmental degradation. This subject focuses on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Malaysia, examining the environmental, social, and educational implications of environmental assessment with a strategic emphasis on advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The assessment evaluates potential impacts on ecosystems, natural resources, public health, and community well-being, integrating both traditional environmental metrics and innovative educational approaches. In alignment with SDGs such as Quality Education (SDG 4), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Climate Action (SDG 13), this study incorporates innovation in teaching as a tool for environmental awareness and capacity building. Educational interventions—including collaborative teaching between stakeholders and international universities, participatory open-based project assignments, and site visits on advanced technological approaches— are embedded in the mitigation framework to foster sustainability literacy. The students, who are future managers, engineers, and policymakers, play a crucial and active role in this process. By integrating EIA with education for sustainable development (ESD), this project not only assesses environmental risks but also empowers these future leaders through transformative, inquiry-driven learning. The findings demonstrate that when innovative teaching practices are aligned with sustainability objectives, environmental management becomes more inclusive, adaptive, and impactful.