Abstract

This study addresses the persistent gap between sustainability awareness and practical implementation in climate change mitigation by developing a competency-based practice guidebook for Climate Change Mitigation in the Oleochemical Value Chain: Implications for Higher Education. While prior research has emphasized technological and policy solutions, limited attention has been given to pedagogical tools that effectively translate sustainability knowledge into actionable competencies among future professionals. Using the Oleochemical value chain as an applied learning context, this study employed a sequential mixed-methods design consisting of three phases: (1) analysis of existing situation and needed condition for climate mitigation practices and identification of key success factors through a survey of 244 stakeholders and 9 Top Management in-depth interviews, (2) development and expert validation of a competency-based practice guidebook, and (3) evaluation of the guidebook through stakeholders who are experienced as subject matter expert via focus group discussions. The findings reveal a significant gap between awareness and implementation across upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. Key success factors include leadership commitment, stakeholders’ collaboration, regulatory support, technological innovation, and market awareness. The developed guidebook was evaluated as highly suitable, possible, and usefulness. Importantly, it significantly enhanced participants’ sustainability competencies, including knowledge, skills, and attributes. From a higher education perspective, the guidebook functions as a practice-based learning tool that supports experiential and competency-based practice aligned with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The guidebook was designed through a value chain based modular structure consisting of upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors, each containing climate change mitigation related topic of practical strategies, operational guidelines, checklists, linkage tables, monitoring indicators related to climate change mitigation and implementation readiness level. It facilitates the integration of real-world industrial challenges into curricula, promoting systems thinking, problem-solving, and adaptive learning. This study contributes to the field of higher education by proposing a structured approach to embedding sustainability competencies through applied learning tools. It also offers practical implications for curriculum design and the development of industry-linked pedagogical innovations that prepare graduates to address complex climate challenges.

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