Reaching over three million Malaysians and catalysing more than RM20 million in initiatives, behavioural change is positioned as a key enabler of national sustainability outcomes.
Kuala Lumpur: 13 May 2026 – Amanah Lestari Alam (“ALAM”), a nationwide sustainability platform supporting Malaysia’s environmental and development priorities, is addressing a persistent gap in the country’s sustainability journey, where awareness is widespread but consistent action remains limited. Marking its fifth anniversary, ALAM has reached more than three million Malaysians and catalysed over RM20 million in initiatives nationwide. More significantly, it has translated awareness into sustained action across communities, youth networks and institutions, reflected in youth-led initiatives on the ground, stronger participation in conservation efforts, and growing adoption of responsible practices among partners and stakeholders.
Spearheaded by Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (“BPMB”), ALAM operates as an independent, tax-exempt not-for-profit organisation guided by an autonomous Board of Trustees and aligned with BPMB Group’s sustainability agenda. Within the Group’s broader role in advancing sustainable development, ALAM complements existing efforts by enabling the shifts in behaviour needed to translate investments and policies into measurable outcomes.
This approach has created a multiplier effect, where initiatives seeded through ALAM continue to scale beyond its platforms. Several corporate and philanthropic organisations have since adopted similar community-based and behaviour-driven models, reflecting a broader shift in how sustainability efforts are being designed and delivered across Malaysia.
Building on this momentum, ALAM will roll-out ALAM ReSet 2.0 (2026 to 2035), a 10-year roadmap to scale impact nationwide under its next focus, “Protect the Green, Power the Blue,” with expanded emphasis on marine conservation, the blue economy and community-driven initiatives.
From Awareness to Action at Scale
Datuk Ali Tan Sri Abdul Kadir, Founding Trustee and Chairman of ALAM, said Malaysia’s next phase of sustainability will depend on closing the gap between awareness and action.
“Malaysia has made strong progress through policies, funding and national frameworks. The challenge now is execution at scale. We do not lack awareness. We lack consistent action. ALAM exists to close that gap by shaping how individuals and institutions respond, translating awareness into sustained, system-level change,” he said.
Over the past five years, ALAM has influenced practices across multiple segments of society. Its multi-stakeholder engagements, including Suara ALAM, have strengthened sustainability discourse and informed decision-making, while youth-focused initiatives such as Youth Environment Living Labs (“YELL”), in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (“UNDP”) Malaysia and the United Nations Children’s Fund (“UNICEF”) Malaysia, have enabled young people to design and implement climate solutions, targeting up to five million participants nationwide.
Community-based programmes have expanded participation in biodiversity conservation and reinforced environmental stewardship through initiatives such as ALAM Be-Leaf, while Rumah Baca has supported early childhood education and mindset shifts within Orang Asli communities, including in areas such as Royal Belum, where access, awareness and participation gaps are most pronounced. These initiatives demonstrate how national sustainability priorities can be translated into meaningful, community-level action. Complementing this, ALAM’s Education for Sustainable Development (“ESD”) efforts continue to support research, policy engagement and awareness to strengthen integration into the national education ecosystem.
A National Lever for Long-Term Impact
Unlike programme-led platforms, ALAM functions as a mechanism to bridge policy intent with real-world practice. Its approach focuses on converting awareness into sustained action and embedding these practices into systems that reinforce long-term outcomes.
ALAM contributes to Malaysia’s broader development priorities, including supporting the integration of sustainability and Education for Sustainable Development (“ESD”) into key frameworks such as the Malaysia Education Plan 2026 to 2035, the Malaysia Higher Education Plan 2026 to 2035 and the 13th Malaysia Plan (“RMK13”).
Increasingly, ministries and public agencies are also engaging ALAM as a partner in shaping policy and programme design, particularly in areas where behavioral adoption is critical to achieving intended outcomes.
Scaling the Next Phase of Impact
Anchored by Bank Negara Malaysia’s (“BNM”) Performance Measurement Framework (“PMF”), which places sustainability, ESG integration and impact-driven outcomes at the core of development finance, ALAM ReSet 2.0 positions itself as a key platform to translate these priorities into tangible, on-the-ground impact. Through this, ALAM will accelerate climate-aligned initiatives and programmes, while driving ESG adoption across businesses, communities and institutions.
The roadmap will introduce a more sustainable funding model and leverage digital platforms to deepen public engagement, strengthen capabilities and embed responsible practices, alongside enhanced collaboration with policymakers, corporates and civil society.
Looking ahead, ALAM will expand its footprint into marine conservation and the blue economy, while sustaining its focus on environmental education, responsible consumption and community-led action.
Strengthening Malaysia’s Sustainability Outcomes
As Malaysia advances its sustainability and climate ambitions, consistent action will be critical in translating national targets into tangible outcomes.
ALAM’s approach underscores that long-term progress will not be driven by funding and policy alone, but by how widely sustainable practices are adopted across society, bridging the gap between awareness and action.
To learn more, contribute or explore partnership opportunities, visit https://alam.earth. ALAM welcomes collaboration with corporates, institutions, and individuals who are keen to support, sponsor or co-create impactful sustainability initiatives.
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About Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (“BPMB”)
Incorporated on 28 November 1973, BPMB is a development financial institution wholly owned by the Minister of Finance (Incorporated). Operating under the regulatory oversight of Bank Negara Malaysia as stipulated by the Development Financial Institutions Act 2002, BPMB holds the highest long-term credit rating of ‘AAA’ from both RAM Rating Services Berhad and Malaysia Rating Corporation Berhad.
Effective 1 May 2025, EXIM Bank and SME Bank became subsidiaries of BPMB. BPMB Group is well-positioned to provide catalytic funding and capacity-building support to Malaysian businesses and facilitate their international expansion in line with the national development agenda.
For more information, visit: www.bpmb.com.my | www.smebank.com.my | www.exim.com.my
About Amanah Lestari Alam (“ALAM”)
Amanah Lestari Alam (“ALAM”) is an independent, tax-exempt not-for-profit company limited by guarantee (“CLBG”) committed to inclusive development through community-driven sustainability and ESG programmes, mooted by Ministry of Finance. While supported in its founding by Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (“BPMB”) and mooted by Ministry of Finance, ALAM operates as a legally distinct entity under the Companies Act 2016. Its mission is to transform the mindset and behaviour of Malaysians towards environmental stewardship by raising awareness, educating on sustainability issues, and fostering a culture of environmental accountability. ALAM achieves this by collaborating closely with public and private sectors, civil society, and policymakers, serving as a vital bridge between industry and Government to improve governance and deliver impactful sustainability initiatives.
Targeting three key segments i.e. Primary school students, Youths and Adults, ALAM focuses on nurturing a positive relationship between Malaysians, the country’s natural capital, and future generations. Its programmes align with seven United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”): SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
For more information, visit: https://alam.earth.