auc library building

Sustainability

AUC is the premier English-language institution of higher learning. The University is committed to teaching and research of the highest caliber and offers liberal arts and professional education in a cross-cultural environment. AUC builds a culture of leadership, lifelong learning, continuing education, and service among its graduates, and is dedicated to making significant contributions to Egypt and the international community in diverse fields. AUC is committed to exploring the climate change challenges confronting Egypt, the region, and the world. AUC addresses climate change challenges by weaving sustainability into the university's culture, mission, and activities, using its intellectual and creative capabilities to serve our communities, and having a positive and sustainable impact on development, business, the environment, and society.

Did You Know?

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University in MENA region to produce a Carbon Footprint Report in 2012.

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Total research funds dedicated to sustainability research

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Scholarly Publications on Sustainability

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Of campus landscape irrigation uses treated wastewater.

Campus Initiatives

recycling

Campus-wide Recycling Program

The Office of Sustainability leads the Clean and Green Committee, a group of dedicated faculty and staff members who work towards creating an efficient recycling system on campus.

treated waste water

Treated Wastewater

AUC uses treated wastewater to irrigate the landscaped areas on campus, which reached almost 100% over the past years. Treated wastewater is a low-cost alternative to drinking-grade water and has a lower carbon footprint.

campus drinking water stations

On-campus Drinking Water Stations

To reduce plastic water bottle usage on campus, the Office of Sustainability has upgraded the on-campus drinking water stations by installing water dispensers that supply filtered, chilled drinking water for students, faculty, staff, and visitors to fill their reusable bottles at.

energy

Energy-Efficiency Initiatives

The American University in Cairo is profoundly concerned with global warming and its serious effects on all aspects; consequently, Variable Speed Drives “VSD” is widely used in HVAC types of equipment, and 2-way modulating valves with actuators changing their opening in dependence on the changing load as well.

a girl running in the track

Jogging, Cycling, and Pedestrian Paths

AUC’s plaza is a completely pedestrian zone. Biking and club carts are prohibited on the main plazas. Biking and club carts are prohibited on the main plazas. Pedestrian paths campus-wide are designed for safety, and convenience, and are provided with disabled–friendly features, such as ramps, and handrails for the safety of all pedestrians.

cars

Carpooling Support

Carpooling is a well-known method for reducing the number of cars on the road, air pollution, and carbon emissions. It essentially enables one car to do the work of multiple cars and also helps reduce the traffic congestion ubiquitous in Greater Cairo.

Sustainability@AUC

A graphic showing how electrolysis works. On the bottom, a graphic of water, tinted brown with green spots. The water is pulled up through a pipe to two green buildings representing the electrolysis. Two pipes connected to the building pipe out green hydrogen, shown as green lightning with a blue H, and bright blue, clean water.

Transforming Dirty Water into Clean Energy

A bolt of energy rattles the bonds of a water molecule: H2O. The links between the molecule begin to snap as the oxygen and hydrogen particles are pulled to separate compartments. The hydrogen molecules are collected and pressurized until their gaseous form transforms into a liquid, the process guiding these powerful particles to their new life: green energy.

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four women in the AUC gardens

AUC Students Craft Sustainable Fishing Nets to Revive Local Village Economy

Armed with fruit and a desire to help the small Egyptian village of El Bahtiny in Ismailia, seniors Yara Yousry, Heidi Mahmoud, Aliaa Moussa and Mariam El-Halabi are working to fashion biodegradable fishing nets out of locally sourced, cost-effective banana fibers in order to revive the village’s ailing economy.

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flower growing out of concrete and a cityscape of old Cairo near the citadel with new course titles: Sustainability in the Cracks of Urban Policy: Communities, Bureaucracies and Adaptation and Climate Change: From Interdisciplinarity to Action

AUC Faculty Develop New Courses on Climate Change, Sustainability During 2023 Research and Creativity Convention

Two courses aimed at informing and empowering AUC students to lead the charge against climate change won this year’s Core Curriculum Course Competition during AUC’s 2023 Research and Creativity Convention (RCC).

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Resources Management

Academics and Research

Aerial view of CARES

Center for Applied Research on the Environment and Sustainability

The center guides sustainable development efforts, providing holistic academic programs, applied interdisciplinary research, and community services for improving lives, livelihoods and safeguarding natural resources.

Greenery

Office of Sustainability

The Office of Sustainability is responsible for addressing AUC’s environmental challenges, including climate change, resource scarcity, pollution, and waste management.

building-sustainable-dreams

Academic Programs

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.

Global Impact

Publications

Carbon Footprint Report 2023

Carbon Footprint Report 2023

April 2023

Carbon Footprint Report 2023

Carbon Footprint Brochure 2023

Brochure 2023

Sustainability Report 2022

Sustainability Report and Brochure 2022

Report 2022

Brochure 2022

Green Guide

Green Guide

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Newsletters

Check out our sustainability newsletters!
AUC Carbon Footprint Report 2023

Volume 27, April 2023

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Egypt CSR Forum, Group photo

Volume 26, March 2023

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Welcome Spring

Volume 25, February 2023

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Highlights of AUC@COP27, Group photo, The American University in Cairo, Climate Change

Volume 24, December 2023

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The American University in Cairo, Climate Change, AUC at COP27

Volume 23, November 2022

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October Sustainability Month, a hand holding a bulb with a greenery background

Volume 22, October 2022

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Greenery with the words Climate Change towards COP27

Volume 21, September 2022

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Trees growing - Sustainable AUC Communication Campaign

Volume 20, May 2022

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Earth Week - Hands making a heart shape

Volume 19, April 2022

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Hands holding water in World Water Day

Volume 18, March 2022

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A hand putting plastic bottle in recycling machine

Volume 17, February 2022

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Certificate for GreenMetric University Ranking 2021

Volume 16, January 2022

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Students standing on campus

Volume 15, December 202

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Five achievement cups

Volume 14, November 2021

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A man sitting on a mountain top

Volume 13, October 2021

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A boat with Egypt's flag in the Red Sea

Volume 12, September 2021

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People on the beach picking up litter on the sand

Volume 11, June 2021

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A person's hand looking through clothes hanging on a clothes rack

Volume 10, May 2021

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A smiling young girl standing in the middle of garbage

Volume 9, April 2021

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People riding a boat in the Nile

Volume 8, March 2021

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Smoke emitted from factory smokestacks

Volume 7, February 2021

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Green plant in soil

Volume 6, December 2020

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