At AUG, we are committed to embedding sustainability in everything we do and are committed to developing a sustainable culture and having a positive environmental and social impact on the local community.

We’ve introduced a number of initiatives over the years to help make AUG as environmentally friendly as possible – and we have won a number of awards as a result.

Achievements

Center of Excellence in Sustainability

• In 2021, the Center of Excellence in Sustainability (CoES) was incorporated into the ACG 150 initiative. In tandem, the CoES Academic Advisory Board was created.

Campaigns & Initiatives

• 2017: Waste Reduction Campaign: Reduce, Reuse Recycle! to educate our community on waste reduction practices as well as recycling best practices.
• 2020: exclusive Community Exchange Platform Reuse to encourage ACG members to get into the habit of reusing preloved items instead of throwing them away and/or buying new ones.
• 2018: #PlasticFree Campaign. In the context of the campaign, a campus-wide policy banning plastic cups at offices was put into effect.
• 2019: Smoke-free Campaign our community about the national anti-smoking law into effect for educational institutions as well raising awareness about the harmful effects of smoking.
• 2021: Food Waste Campaign: Reduce your FOODprint! to educate our community about the harmful effects of food waste and how to minimize it.
• Established the “Sustainability Leaders,” a dedicated volunteer student organization that engages with sustainability-related initiatives.
• Established the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Student Hub, working closely with UN SDSN Greece and UN SDSN Youth Greece and collaborates with Hubs of other educational institutions in Greece.  

Awards and Distinctions

• Received STARS Gold Rating by the widely recognized AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education) for the eighth time in 2023 for its sustainability achievements in 5 categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations, Planning & Administration and Innovation & Leadership.
• Achieved top scores across three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 12, 13, and 17), positioning AUG among the top 7% globally for Responsible Consumption and Production, the top 12% for Climate Action, and the top 17% for Partnerships for the Goals in the latest THE Impact Rankings.
• Earned a spot on the Sierra Magazine “Cool Schools” list for 2021 for the third time in recognition of its sustainability efforts and best practices. 
• Recognized as a top performer in the 2021 Sustainable Campus Index in the sustainability impact areas of Grounds and Purchasing and a consistent top performer since 2016.
• Recognized as a Leader in Sustainable Electronics Procurement for a second consecutive time with a 2024 EPEAT Purchaser Award
• Named by The Princeton Review for 2023 as one of the 420 most environmentally responsible colleges. ACG has featured in The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges consistently since 2018.