Sustainability Standing Committees

Energy and Resource Conservation and Efficiency (ERCE) Committee – Water

The Office of Sustainability chairs the Energy and Resources Conservation and Efficiency (ERCE) Committee, which is divided into two groups—one focusing on energy and the other on water. ERCE meetings are held quarterly.

The ERCE Committee for Water consists of representatives from both the New Cairo campus and the Tahrir Square campus. Its purpose is to discuss AUC's water consumption, including domestic water use and treated wastewater, as well as to explore initiatives for improving water efficiency.

Clean and Green Committee – Solid Waste Management

The Office of Sustainability co-chairs the Clean and Green Committee alongside Dina Rateb, associate professor in the Department of Management. This committee is made up of AUC faculty and staff members. AUC is working toward developing a more sustainable waste management system, with the ultimate goal of reducing overall waste generated on campus.

Currently, there are 55 recycling stations, which include bins for trash, plastic and cans. Of these, 48 are located on the New Cairo campus and seven on the Tahrir Square campus. These stations are strategically placed in high-traffic areas to ensure maximum accessibility. For more information about the waste management system, visit the AUC Sustainability and Office of Sustainability webpages.

Responsibilities

• Monthly meetings and agenda preparation
• Data collection by the Office of Campus Services for the sorting stations
• Reporting and analyzing the monthly data for the recyclables collected

Race to Zero Committee – AUC Carbon Emissions’ Management and Mitigation Plan

The Race to Zero Committee is a pivotal initiative at The American University in Cairo (AUC), established to spearhead the University's commitment to carbon emissions reduction. Following AUC’s endorsement of the Race to Zero campaign, the Office of Sustainability proposed a comprehensive Carbon Reduction and Mitigation Plan, which received the president's approval for its primary goals.

The committee's main objective is to develop a detailed strategy that outlines specific goals and objectives aimed at achieving a nearly net-zero emissions campus. This effort reflects AUC's dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainability, fostering a campus culture that prioritizes environmental responsibility. Through collaborative efforts, the committee engages various stakeholders to implement innovative solutions and track progress toward AUC’s ambitious carbon reduction goal.

Plastic Free Campus Initiative Committee

This committee was established in alignment with The American University in Cairo’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. Starting with AUC’s Climate Change Initiative, in addition to becoming a signatory in the UN Race to Zero Campaign and announcing a voluntary Net Zero target, these engagements enable AUC to join a well-established international alliance that works together toward zero-emissions plans and promotes shared responsibility in combating climate change. AUC emphasizes the significance of its collective efforts toward making AUC a plastic-free campus and fostering a greener future for upcoming generations.

At AUC, we are working toward achieving our net-zero emissions target through a comprehensive plan. One of our key focuses is solid waste management, particularly phasing out plastic. AUC has taken the lead as the first campus in Egypt to eliminate single-use plastics.