Purpose: This study concentrated on creating an awareness campaign for the community using a participatory research model that involved environmental experts, community representatives and undergraduates. This study aims to explore the impact of the undergraduates' involvement in the awareness campaign project in the context of their environmental actions and advocacy on climate change. Design/methodology/approach: The authors developed the climate change awareness campaign for the community using the participatory research method. The authors conducted interviews with 19 undergraduates from University A, Malaysia, who directly participated in the project to understand their perspectives on environmental initiatives and advocacy following their involvement in this community-wide campaign to raise awareness about climate change. Findings: The analysis of the interview data revealed that the study participants demonstrated the appropriate knowledge, skills and values that were required concerning climate change and environmental sustainability. Three key themes that emerged were mindset toward environmental sustainability; vigor to protect the environment; and advocacy of climate change. These themes suggest that involving undergraduates in the campaign's development and organization phases instill the correct values and intentions for advocating climate change and promoting environmental sustainability. Originality/value: The undergraduates' implementation of participatory research in developing an awareness campaign for the community offers an innovative component to the existing education for sustainable development paradigm in higher education institutions. This approach has the potential to develop well-rounded undergraduates who are motivated to work toward environmental sustainability and are willing to advocate for climate change.