The American College of Greece | Sustainability at ACG

Sustainability Face of the Month: Meet ACG Sustainability Leader Pinelopi Tsiopou!

Sustainability Face of the Month: Meet ACG Sustainability Leader Pinelopi Tsiopou! | Read more

Dissecting the Complexities of EU Climate Policy in an Insightful On-Campus Event!

Dissecting the Complexities of EU Climate Policy in an Insightful On-Campus Event! | Read more

CSR School: Empowering Professionals through Collaborative Education for the 6th Year!

CSR School: Empowering Professionals through Collaborative Education for the 6th Year! | Read more

Sustainability Face of the Month: Meet ACG Sustainability Leader Dimitris Mostratos!

Sustainability Face of the Month: Meet ACG Sustainability Leader Dimitris Mostratos! | Read more

About Sustainability at ACG

Human activity undeniably impacts nature and climate with devastating consequences on the planet and all its inhabitants. As a leading educational institution, Τhe American College of Greece (ACG) recognizes the environmental, economic, and social benefits of resource efficiency and commits to educating, inspiring and empowering its students, as well as faculty, staff, parents, alumni, trustees, and business partners, to develop a sustainability culture on campus, collaborating with the local community in promoting sustainability best practices.

Following US best practices and as also reflected in its President’s 2025 vision, ACG is gradually developing an ever-growing number of sustainability best practices and committed to systematically addressing issues from sustainability focus in academic programs and research, reducing its carbon footprint while improving its energy efficiency, to enhancing its social impact and increasing transparency and accountability in its daily operations.

In June 2023, ACG achieved the STARS® Gold Rating for the second time for its fourth sustainability report and assessment, in recognition of our sustainability achievements in five categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations, Planning & Administration, and Innovation & Leadership. ACG is the only academic institution in Greece to have received a distinction from the US Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) – an internationally acclaimed association. Through its membership in the UN Global Compact, the UN Academic Impact and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), ACG has committed to always operate in support of the UN SDGs – and most importantly, Goal No 4: Quality Education.

At ACG, we place a strong emphasis on providing our students – the leaders of tomorrow – with the knowledge, values, and experiences needed to navigate this everchanging environment while acting as engaged and responsible citizens and professionals to help create a more socially, economically and environmentally sustainable world.

The Office of Sustainability – Public Affairs

The Office of Sustainability – Public Affairs leads all sustainability-related activity in terms of operations and engagement, to advance sustainability on campus by:

Leading ACG’s reporting efforts (STARS, UNAI, UNGC, National Alliance for the Elimination of Food Waste, President’s Annual Report) in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
Organizing events, awareness campaigns, and social impact activities engaging students, faculty, and staff in sustainability efforts;
Recommending and promoting new sustainability policies within ACG;
Collaborating with Technical Services & Operations on best practices related to campus sustainability;
Acting as a liaison with local, national, and international organizations, as well as public authorities, to advance sustainability goals;
Managing the Sustainability@ACG website and social media platforms, and issuing the Sustainability@ACG newsletter.

The VP of Public Affairs serves as an ex officio member of the CoES external advisory board, while the Sustainability Director serves as an ex officio member of the CoES internal/academic advisory board.

The Office of Sustainability – Public Affairs is working closely with the ACG 150 Center of Excellence in Sustainability (CoES), a pioneer Center focused on advancing sustainability in academics and conducting sustainability-related research.

Sustainability Achievements

STARS® Rating

In June 2023, ACG achieved the STARS® Gold Rating for the second time for its fourth sustainability report and assessment, in recognition of our sustainability achievements in five categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations, Planning & Administration, and Innovation & Leadership.

The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS®) is developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). With more than 900 participants in 40 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance.

Following US best practices and as also reflected in President Horner’s 2025 vision, we have come a long way as an academic institution since the first STARS report was submitted in 2015. As we stand, ACG is the only academic institution in Greece that submits such a report and one of the two institutions outside the US & Canada to have achieved such a rating.

The Office of Sustainability – Public Affairs coordinates, encourages, and reports on all sustainability-related initiatives, including the College’s bi-annual reporting to STARS®.

Times Higher Impact (THE) Ranking

ACG has strengthened its position as a sustainability leader, ranking as the most sustainable private educational institution in Greece, and 4th among 18 Greek institutions in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking.

Globally, ACG placed in the top 150 (top 7%) for SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, the top 250 (top 12%) for SDG 13: Climate Action, and the top 350 (top 17%) for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Notably, ACG achieved top scores in Greece for these three SDGs.

These achievements were made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Center of Excellence in Sustainability, the Office of Sustainability – Public Affairs, and the substantial support from the Theodore Papalexopoulos Chair in Sustainability at ALBA Graduate Business School.

AASHE Sustainable Campus Index (SCI)

ACG has been recognized as a top performer in the 2024 Sustainable Campus Index, in the following categories: (1) Campus Engagement, (2) Energy, (3) Grounds, (4) Purchasing, and (5) Wellbeing & Work, being one of the only six institutions outside the US, Canada, and Australia to be featured.

Not only that, but ACG achieved top performer status in the Master’s institution’s category for yet another year, being the only non-US institution to rank that high. Most notably, ACG was highlighted as the top international performer, achieving the highest STARS rating outside the US and Canada.

A publication from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing sustainable colleges and universities overall and in 17 impact areas, as measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).

ACG has been a top performer in AASHE’s Sustainable Campus Index (SCI) for nine consecutive years since 2016.

The Princeton Review

ACG is one of the 511 most environmentally responsible colleges according to the Princeton Review for 2025 – a distinction we are honored to achieve for the seventh time.

The Princeton Review chose the schools for its eleventh edition based on a survey of administrators at 600 colleges in 2023-24 about their institutions’ commitments to the environment and sustainability. ACG is only one of four European Colleges and Universities ranked in the list.

ACG has been included in The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges since 2018.

EPEAT Purchaser Award winner

ACG has been named a 2024 EPEAT Purchaser Award winner for the second year in a row, earning recognition in more categories than before, including Computers & Displays, Imaging Equipment, and Servers.

This prestigious award, presented by the Global Electronics Council (GEC), highlights our College’s leadership in sustainable electronics procurement and its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its IT purchases.

The process, led by the Office of Sustainability – Public Affairs, ensures that ACG prioritizes energy-efficient, non-toxic, and recyclable electronics that align with strict sustainability criteria.

Sustainability Reports

In the context of ACG’s commitment to advancing sustainability and the SDGs, and our membership in international and national sustainability networks, we have submitted the following sustainability reports:

Synergies & Memberships

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)

ACG has proudly been a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) since 2015. AASHE, established in 2005, is the leading association promoting sustainability in higher education. Serving faculty, administrators, staff, and students, it supports over 900 members across 48 U.S. states, one U.S. territory, nine Canadian provinces, and 20 countries, driving sustainability innovation and change. In the context of our membership, we submit reports to AASHE’S reporting tool – STARS – bi-annually.

AASHE Board of Directors

Rania Assariotaki, Director, Office of Sustainability – Public Affairs, has been elected to AASHE’s prestigious Board of Directors since 2022, currently holding the position of Secretary of the Board. It is the first time in AASHE’s history that a non-US member serves on the BoD.

Ms. Assariotaki also serves on the AASHE Committee of Strategic Planning, the Executive Committee and the Racial Equity & Social Justice Taskforce.

The Board’s purpose is to advise, govern, oversee policy and direction, and assist with the promotion of AASHE’s mission. It comprises faculty, students, staff, and administrators from member organizations.

The Board is responsible for planning, visioning, setting priorities, supporting AASHE’s projects and committees, and working with the Executive Director to guide the organization. Directors serve three-year terms, ensuring sustained leadership and strategic oversight.

UNAI

As of May 31st, 2017, The American College of Greece serves as a member of the UN Academic Impact. ACG joined over 1000 academic and research institutions in more than 120 countries that are members of UNAI. In Greece, ACG was the fifth academic institution to be a member and the first private one.

As of July 2021, ten Greek institutions are UNAI members.

The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) established in 2010, is a global initiative that aligns institutions of higher education with the United Nations in promoting its global priorities, including peace, human rights and sustainable development through activities and research in a shared culture of intellectual social responsibility.

In the context of our membership, we have submitted four reports that showcase our commitment to six of the ten principles in 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2023.

Additionally, eleven Deree-ACG students were selected for the United Nations Millennium Fellowship Program Class of 2020. In the context of this program, our students –the first Greek Millennium Fellowship cohort – organized the “UN SDGs Symposium: Exploring the DiverCity of Athens” in November 2020, in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability – Public Affairs. ACG participates in this Program annually.

As part of our commitment to the UNAI principles, Deree – The American College of Greece, in collaboration with the British Embassy in Greece and other key partners, hosted an impactful event addressing gender-based violence. Aligned with the global “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” campaign, the event featured panel discussions and student involvement, furthering our dedication to raising awareness and fostering action for a safer and more equitable society.

UN SDSN

As of 2018, The American College of Greece serves as a member of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), joining institutions and organizations, including universities, research institutions, foundations, and civil society, in a unique network of problem solvers aiming at contributing to practical solutions for sustainable development.

The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) was established in 2012 under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General. SDSN mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical solutions for sustainable development, including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement.

In the context of our membership, we co-organized and hosted the first Symposium on Climate Change at ACG on April 3, 2019, and the interactive virtual discussion on “The role of the Greek Higher Education Institutions in promoting the SGDs” with Jeffrey Sachs, in collaboration with the National Technical University of Athens (NKUA) and the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB), on March 30, 2021.

Additionally, ACG has organized two Greek Cimathon hackathons in 2022 and 2023, taking place on campus. The 2022 Climathon was co-organized by ACG, the Municipality of Aghia Paraskevi, ATHENA RC, and EIT Climate-KIC Hub Greece.

Similarly, the 2023 Climathon was possible through the collaboration of the General Secretariat of Natural Environment and Water, Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy, ACG, the Sustainable Development Unit – ATHENA RC, the Municipality of Aghia Paraskevi, under the auspices of the Green Fund. This event was supported by the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB).

Overall, Deree-ACG students regularly participate in the Greek Climathon hackathons.

CSR Hellas

As of January 2019, ACG is a member of the CSR Hellas Network.

CSR Hellas is a not-for-profit business association based in Athens, founded in June 2000 by a group of 3 business organizations and 13 companies, numbering more than 130 members today. It is the National Partner Organization (NPO) of CSR Europe, the leading European business organization for CSR, counting several members among the largest multinational companies as well as a network of more than 40 National Partner Organizations across Europe. Moreover, CSR Hellas hosts by 2008 the Coordinating Secretariat of the national Global Compact Hellenic Network of the United Nations (UN Global Compact Network Hellas) and is also representing in Greece the Global Network “CSR 360.”

In the context of our membership, we co-organized and hosted the first Summer School on Corporate Sustainability & Responsibility at ACG from September 23-27, 2019, which is now an annual executive education program, co-organized by CSR Hellas, University of Crete and ACG, supported by the Office of Sustainability – Public Affairs. This initiative is the first full-fledged collaboration between a public and a private university and a business network in Greece.

American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Corporate Responsibility (CR) Committee

ACG has been represented in AMCHAM’s CR Committee by Rania Assariotaki, Director, Office of Sustainability Public Affairs since 2020.

The committee’s mission is to act as a catalyst for change toward sustainable business by transmitting knowledge of Corporate Responsibility practices to corporations operating in Greece and influencing governments and stakeholders to recognize corporate sustainability as a vital element of business and societal growth.

Members of the committee contribute to the organization of the annual CR conference, draft position papers for businesses and relevant Ministries, and publish articles in the Chamber’s Business Partners magazine and “Thought Leaders” publication.

UN Global Compact

As of January 2019, ACG has become a member of the UN Global Compact, a voluntary initiative based on CEO commitments to implement universal sustainability principles and to take steps to support UN goals.

In the context of our membership, we submitted our first UNGC Communication on Engagement Report, covering the two-year period from January 2019 – January 2021. The last report was submitted in January 2023.

Additionally, we are members of the UN Global Compact Greece Network, the local UN Global Compact chapter.

Alliance for the Reduction of Food Waste

As of October 2020, ACG is a member of the Alliance for the Reduction of Food Waste – an initiative of NGO Boroume, a group of public authorities, well-known companies, food and service businesses from all areas of the supply chain, social impact organizations, and academic and research institutions, coming together to prevent and reduce food waste in Greece.

As members of the Alliance, we have submitted three reports on food waste prevention and reduction practices, with the most recent report submitted in 2023. ACG has been featured in this report with seven (7) out of the 75 actions, the highest number of best practices and initiatives submitted by a single organization.

The Alliance aims at raising awareness about this crucial issue, educating the public on how we can prevent food waste, highlighting and disseminating best practices, exchanging knowledge and ideas, promoting research and innovation, promoting and donating any surplus food to social impact organizations, and, most importantly, advocating for public policy on preventing and reducing food waste and food loss in Greece.

In the context of our ongoing collaboration with Boroume since November 2018 and our membership in the Alliance, we co-organized the interactive discussion “Love Food, Hate Waste: The importance of reducing food waste” on October 14, 2021. This event served as the kick-off to the campus-wide “ACG Food Waste Campaign: Reduce your FOODprint!”

Stay up to date about all sustainability related initiatives, projects, events, and achievements at The American College of Greece through the Sustainability @ ACG Newsletter!

Here, you will find all past issues: