AUC tackles sustainability from every angle; decreasing the University's carbon footprint, promoting environmental research and education, and implementing recycling programs and raising public awareness.
Sustainability is deeply integrated into every aspect of the AUC experience. We are committed to creating an environmentally conscious community that practices sustainability in all aspects of living and learning. Through innovative research, programs, initiatives and events, we actively promote responsible and optimized resource management to minimize AUC’s impact on the environment and maximize contributions to a more sustainable world.
With 48 sorting stations designated for collecting recyclable items as well as trash, AUC’s efficient recycling program helps the community dispose of things the right way while cultivating a sense of shared responsibility in caring for the campus.
As stewards of the region’s natural resources, AUC uses treated wastewater to irrigate landscaped areas of campus to lower its carbon footprint and embrace a low-cost alternative that helps protect Egypt’s water supply.
Staying hydrated is an important element in the pursuit of excellence. AUC has upgraded its on-campus drinking water stations in an effort to reduce the number of disposable plastic water bottles used on campus. With 35 filtered water stations on the New Cairo campus and 23 stations on the AUC Tahrir Square campus, a cool and sustainable drink of water is always available.
As the serious impacts of global warming loom large, AUC continues to adopt practices, systems and tools like variable speed drives used in HVAC equipment, LED lighting, occupancy sensors in classrooms and other tools to manage temperature and lighting adjustments based on actual use.
Designed with student safety and convenience in mind, AUC’s main plaza areas are pedestrian-only zones, and pedestrian paths run throughout campus to make getting around easy. Bike paths also travel around campus, punctuated by bike racks and stations for lockup.
Sharing a ride to AUC can have a profound impact on the environment by reducing the number of cars on the road and limiting emissions and pollution. To encourage carpooling in a meaningful way, AUC’s parking policy allows carpool drivers to park on campus for free.
Check out how AUC is managing its water, waste and energy resources.
In 2022, AUC became a signatory to the global UN-backed Race to Zero Campaign for Universities and Colleges. A task force comprised of AUC faculty, staff, and students was formed to outline the University’s Net-Zero Plan. As a signatory, AUC engages in working on reducing its carbon emissions as an interim goal by 2035 and achieving a nearly net-zero campus as an ultimate goal by 2050. To this end, AUC has set a plan for outlining a number of initiatives with the goal of achieving emission reduction in the future.
AUC is a sustainability trailblazer among the region’s higher education institutions, setting an example for others and going beyond the boundaries of its campus to achieve tangible environmental and social impact. From developing green strategies and promoting renewable energy sources to engaging with the community and equipping future leaders with a sustainability mindset, AUC addresses critical environmental, social and governance concerns to ensure the sustainability of our society and world.
Established in response to worldwide climate change challenges. The initiative includes research, student activities, teaching and learning, as well as outreach activities.
The center guides sustainable development efforts, providing holistic academic programs, applied interdisciplinary research, and community services for improving lives, livelihoods and safeguarding natural resources.
The Office of Sustainability is responsible for addressing AUC’s environmental challenges, including climate change, resource scarcity, pollution, and waste management.
AUC provides multiple academic programs on sustainability, which aim to educate innovative and visionary leaders with a holistic understanding of the developmental challenges in today’s world.
