AUC Releases FOURTH SUSTAINABILITY REPORT,INTRODUCES FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY POLICY

Cairo, July 21, 2026 – The American University in Cairo (AUC) has released the Sustainability Report 2026, the fourth edition in the University’s Sustainability Report series and the first to be aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, the world’s most widely used framework for sustainability reporting. The report tracks AUC’s progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and serves as a practical reference for universities across the Middle East and North Africa seeking to advance their own sustainability efforts. Published every two years, the Sustainability Report provides a comprehensive overview of AUC’s environmental, social and governance performance while documenting progress across academics, research, campus operations, governance and community engagement.
The fourth edition introduces two significant additions alongside its alignment with GRI. It features AUC’s Environmental

Sustainability Policy, approved in November 2025 as the University’s first binding sustainability policy, which applies across all University activities. It also includes the first Annual Progress Report for AUC’s Carbon Emissions Management and Mitigation Plan, the first formal tracking of the University’s progress toward its Race to Zero commitment. The report also details the University’s growing partnerships in the areas of sustainability, including with the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), UNICEF, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Ain Shams University, BRAC International and the Sawiris Foundation.
“The American University in Cairo views sustainability as an integral part of its mission to advance education and create positive societal impact,” said Khaled Tarabieh, University architect and associate professor of sustainable design. “The fourth edition of the Sustainability Report showcases AUC’s achievements across academics, research, campus operations, governance, community engagement and global partnerships, while serving as a reference for other universities in the MENA region.”
According to Tarabieh, the report draws on more than 15 years of operational and resource-use data, long-standing participation in global sustainability initiatives, research projects, focused coursework and extensive collaborations with international organizations, government agencies and academic institutions, making it one of the region’s pioneering sustainability publications.
The fourth edition builds on AUC’s sustainability journey, documenting the University’s progress since the inaugural report in 2020. It highlights key milestones, including integrating sustainability into academic programs and campus operations, joining the UN-backed Race to Zero campaign, and advancing the University’s long-term sustainability vision.
“Producing the Sustainability Report is a collaborative effort that brings together contributions from across the University. This fourth edition not only captures AUC’s progress but also reflects the maturity of our sustainability journey through internationally recognized reporting standards, helping us better evaluate our impact and identify opportunities for future action,” said Yasmin Mansour, director of the Office of Sustainability at AUC.
As AUC advances its efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and reach nearly net-zero emissions by 2050, the report provides a framework for measuring progress and strengthening collaboration with partners in Egypt, the region and beyond.