At American University of Sharjah, sustainability is embedded in everything we do. We are committed to promoting an environmentally conscious campus, integrating sustainability into academics, research and operations while engaging our community in impactful initiatives.
Sustainability has become a central topic in global dialogue for all institutions, regardless of the industry they operate within or their geographical location. At AUS, we acknowledge the importance of sustainability and its crucial role in ensuring the future well-being of our campus and our world.
To achieve the broader goals we have set for ourselves as an institution, we know we must prioritize sustainability. We are committed to refreshing AUS’ sustainability strategy to better serve the communities on campus and beyond.
Currently, we are focusing on understanding and reducing our environmental footprint, supporting the health and well-being of our community, and weaving sustainability more deeply into our academics and campus life.
Our approach has been pragmatic and holistic. We focus on raising awareness and mobilizing our community while finding and implementing practical solutions to our sustainability challenges. By harmonizing these elements, we strive to create a unified direction towards our sustainability goals and share learnings with the wider UAE and global sustainability communities.
Looking ahead, we intend to collaborate even more closely with the communities and stakeholders we serve to develop solutions that benefit others within the education sector and beyond. While I am conscious of the many challenges ahead, I am confident in our collective abilities as an AUS community to join hands and make meaningful progress towards a more sustainable AUS and beyond.
Omar Al Nuaimi
Head of Sustainability
Climate | ![]() |
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Having made climate action a central institutional focus and reinforced our role as a leader in sustainability within the region, AUS is accelerating efforts to reduce emissions, advance sustainability research and deepen engagement across its campus community. Through our Climate Action Plan, strategic partnerships, data-driven initiatives and student-centered programming, we are actively shaping a more resilient and climate-conscious future.
Our commitment to decarbonization and resilience is reflected in our operations. Having implemented energy and water conservation projects on campus, we have enhanced building thermal efficiency and upgraded cooling and water systems through ongoing building renovations to promote energy and water efficiency in line with ESTIDAMA, the UAE’s green building standards framework. We have also expanded electric vehicle charging stations on campus to reduce transport emissions.
Further, AUS partnered with Southpole to complete our first greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions study, establishing a baseline and setting science-based reduction targets aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Since then, we have worked with internal stakeholders to improve data collection, closing gaps and enhancing the accuracy of our annual GHG reports.
AUS also adopted the eMission digital tool by UAE Alliance for Climate Action (UACA) tool to track and report emissions across three internationally recognized scopes as outlined in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard–Revised Edition (the GHG Protocol).
Our efforts have led to a significant decrease in indirect emissions, showing that we are on track to meet our net zero targets. Over the past four years, emissions across all scopes have remained relatively consistent. In 2024, a significant drop in our Scope 2 emissions was registered due to energy efficiency retrofits on campus, specifically in academic buildings.
The university has extended its sustainability leadership beyond the campus. AUS was the first university to join UACA and is the only university to represent UAE higher education institutions on the UACA Advisory Committee. UACA is convened by Emirates Nature - WWF and endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment and consists of partners to increase the momentum of Paris-aligned targets and see greater collaboration.
AUS is a co-founder of the UCN, an association of UAE universities, government entities and industry partners convened in the lead up to COP28 to enhance collaboration on climate action, youth engagement, sustainability research and education. In 2023, AUS was instrumental in facilitating the UCN Roundtable at its campus in preparation for COP28, which was held in neighboring Dubai. The event brought together 14 UAE universities to discuss collaboration opportunities, share student engagement initiatives and explore co-curricular activities related to climate literacy, helping students build their climate action capacity in the lead-up to COP28.
In 2024, AUS adopted the leadership of the UCN Campus Carbon Neutrality Pillar in collaboration with Ajman University. A key initiative of this pillar was its launch of the Campus Decarbonization Academy, an online education program open to all members of society with the aim to empower higher education decision makers on their net zero journey. AUS was also actively involved in the UCN Youth Pillar as part of the UAE’s representation at COP29 in Baku and.
AUS also strongly contributes to the UCN Research Pillar, leading two technical subgroups at the Climate Solutions Research Summit. See 2030 Climate Solutions - Implementation Roadmap.
AUS and NYUAD have been partnering to host the annual HECD, a fully student-led conference bringing together youth leaders on climate action in the UAE. In 2024, AUS hosted the fifth annual HECD under the theme “Collaborating for Climate Resilience: Sustaining the Legacy of COP28.” Organized in partnership with New York University Abu Dhabi, the HECD provided a platform for university students across the UAE to engage in climate resilience discussions.
Founded by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment to bring together committed climate scientists and researchers and advance the development of research collaborations, CCRN is co-chaired by AUS.
With a focus on the centrality of youth participation and the pivotal role of education in accelerating progress to achieve global climate ambitions, AUS students, faculty and staff have engaged in events and activities in COP conferences throughout the years.
At COP28, held in Dubai, AUS demonstrated its leadership in sustainability education through active participation in both the Green and Blue Zones. AUS faculty and students took part in high-impact panels, showcased cutting-edge research and addressed key youth climate issues. AUS highlighted the vital role of education, research and youth engagement in driving climate solutions—reinforcing its commitment to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 vision.
In the lead-up to COP28, AUS launched on campus the Climate Coffee podcast, featuring experts from various sectors discussing climate change solutions. The university also introduced a COP28 Speaker Series, with global climate experts sharing insights on carbon emissions and low-carbon transitions. AUS created a dedicated and comprehensive COP28 webpage to keep the community informed and showcase its sustainability leadership.
COP29, held in Baku, showcased outstanding AUS student leadership, playing a key role in promoting sustainability dialogue among university students worldwide.
Nature | ![]() |
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As part of our growing dedication to environmental sustainability, the university has embraced Nature as an important pillar of our sustainability agenda this year. This focus recognizes the urgent need to restore biodiversity, protect natural ecosystems and promote harmony between people and the planet. Through partnerships and hands-on student initiatives, AUS is aligning education, research and community engagement to help shape a nature-positive future for the UAE and beyond.
Nature Positive Universities Network
AUS recently made a pledge with Nature Positive Universities to lead the way in protecting and restoring local biodiversity. Setting and meeting ambitious targets for nature is vital to protecting life on earth and ensuring a liveable planet for future generations, and universities have a unique opportunity to lead and influence their communities on this important journey.
The Nature Positive Universities Network is a global alliance of higher education institutions working to reverse nature loss and restore biodiversity. It aims to embed nature-positive values into campus operations, academic curricula, research and community engagement. Members commit to assessing their environmental impact, setting biodiversity goals and reporting on progress annually. Following the pledge, AUS has launched a year-long project to discover and highlight key areas in its operations, teaching and research that are contributing to biodiversity damage while working on a comprehensive Nature Action Plan that compliments the AUS Climate Action Plan.
Through ongoing research and community engagement, AUS is actively working to protect and restore coastal mangrove habitats while promoting Nature-Based Solutions in partnership with key stakeholders. These efforts directly support the UAE’s Nationally Determined Contributions and reflect our commitment to a sustainable, nature-centered future.
In line with these commitments, AUS supports Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority to plant ghaf trees, the national symbol of the UAE, in the Emirate of Sharjah. The university also hosts workshops on the importance of preserving the native ghaf tree and takes students on enriching field trips to the nearby Shajar Nursery where they can plant ghaf seeds.
AUS has partnered with EEG and MOCCAE to collaborate on a landmark national study on the carbon sequestration potential of indigenous trees in the UAE with the intention to explore nature-based solutions that enhance biodiversity, combat desertification and increase carbon capture. Through a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach, AUS will contribute scientific expertise to the research design, field methodology, data collection and analysis and co-lead the first UAE-specific carbon sequestration metrics for the sidr tree.
AUS also launched the Sharjah Environmental Hazards Assessment Research Group (SEHAR) to tackle environmental pollutants such as microplastics and heavy metals. Led by AUS faculty and collaborating with experts from the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority, SEHAR aims to advance research on contaminants and their impact on ecosystems and public health. The group focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration to inform policies and develop mitigation strategies for a cleaner, safer environment in the UAE.
Food | ![]() |
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Food is more than just nourishment—it’s a powerful driver for sustainability, well-being and community connection. Recognizing its impact on both human and planetary health, AUS has identified Food as one of its core sustainability pillars. Through diverse initiatives that include locally sourced dining options, student-led farming, cooking programs and educational talks, we are cultivating a culture of conscious consumption, food literacy and environmental stewardship. We are empowering our community to make informed, healthy and sustainable food choices that contribute to a resilient future.
The Manbat Farmers Market brings fresh, locally grown produce to campus, connecting students, faculty and staff with local farmers. It promotes healthy eating, strengthens community ties, and fosters environmental stewardship through sustainable food choices while showcasing the diversity of UAE agriculture.
The Cook for Change program, a hands-on approach to learning sustainability through cooking, enables students to gain practical life skills and increase food literacy skills while underscoring the vital connection between personal health and environmental wellbeing. This program is offered to incoming first-year resident students during orientation week.
The Campus Community Microfarm is an ambitious project with the aim of providing an interactive learning space that promotes environmental sustainability and personal health.
The Health & Nutrition Talk Series explores the connection between personal well-being and sustainable living through expert-led discussions on healthy eating, nutrition, and the environmental and personal health impact of food choices.
The Green Teaching Kitchen @AUS is a hands-on experiential program that explores the deep connections between food, health and the environment. Evolving from the Cook for Change initiative, this seven-module course equips students with real food cooking skills while introducing concepts in nutrition, food systems and sustainability. Through interactive classes and a farm-to-table field trip, students gain practical tools to support personal health and environmental stewardship. Designed as a transformative learning experience, the program also highlights the role of food literacy and nutrition security in creating a more sustainable future.
Important to our commitment to sustainability is Healthy Farm Eatery, a local brand dedicated to providing fresh, high-quality food made with locally grown, organic ingredients. By supporting local agriculture and sourcing responsibly, we ensure our students have access to nutritious meals that also reduce our environmental footprint.
Health | ![]() |
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Health is a fundamental pillar of our sustainability efforts, intertwining physical well-being with the broader goals of environmental and community sustainability. The university recognizes that fostering a healthy population involves promoting awareness, research and education to create a holistic approach to personal and environmental health. Through research and educational initiatives, AUS is committed to exploring the vital connections between health, sustainability and lifestyle choices. We strive to equip our students with the knowledge and tools to live healthier lives while fostering a resilient and sustainable community for all.
We also promote student well-being through various mental health initiatives. Through our Office of Student Experience and several departments and programs, these initiatives contribute to social sustainability by promoting well-being, equity and resilience across the university community, aligning with SDGs 3 and 4. By reducing stigma, supporting vulnerable groups and building connected, healthy communities, these programs help create a sustainable academic environment where students can thrive.
UCS offers free, confidential psychological support to students, faculty, staff and their families. Services include individual counseling, crisis intervention, assessments and referrals, all tailored to the diverse needs of the AUS community.
Students participate in governance bodies like the Student Success Committee and the Mental Health Sub-Committee, which focus on promoting mental well-being and providing resources to reduce stigma around mental health.
Within the residential halls, Resident Assistants (RAs) and the International Buddy Program (IBP) play crucial roles in fostering a supportive living environment. RAs act as community facilitators and peer leaders, while the IBP connects new international students with returning ones to ease their transition.
The Academic Support Center (ASC) provides a range of services to help students navigate university life, including support for students with disabilities and those exploring majors. The center aims to enhance students' academic success and personal development.
AUS offers a variety of sports and recreational activities that promote physical health, social interaction and stress relief. Engaging in physical activities is known to have positive effects on mental health, including reducing anxiety and depression. The Peer Athletics Program, kicking off in Fall 2025 and established by the Office of Student Experience, empowers student-athletes through peer mentorship, teamwork and community support. Experienced student-athletes are paired with newcomers to provide guidance and foster a supportive athletic community.
This platform offers 24/7 anonymous, peer-to-peer support for mental health and emotional well-being, giving students access to safe, stigma-free spaces to share their feelings and receive support—anytime, anywhere. TalkCampus, used by students in over 130 countries, allows AUS students to connect with peers from around the world who may be going through similar experiences. Whether they’re feeling overwhelmed by exams, struggling with homesickness, or navigating personal challenges, students can post and receive encouragement and advice in real time.
This global peer support network helps employees navigate workplace stress, anxiety, burnout and more. It also includes access to self-help resources, courses and live professional support, complimenting the services available on campus.
This program is a cornerstone of the university’s holistic approach to employee well-being. Exclusively for faculty, staff and their dependents, the program provides access to key recreational facilities on campus, including a fully equipped gym, outdoor pool, football fields, tennis courts and basketball courts. Wellness offerings also include fitness classes, educational workshops and community events, empowering individuals to make wellness an active and enjoyable part of their daily lives.
AUS organizes events like Mental Health Week, which includes activities such as workshops, de-stress spaces and bespoke resources to promote mental health awareness and self-care among students.
Sustainability is embedded throughout the curriculum at AUS. Approximately 22 percent of our undergraduate and graduate courses feature sustainability. These courses are offered across all disciplines, with 21 out of 22 academic departments (equivalent to a total of 95 percent of the departments) having at least one sustainability course offering.
*Colleges engage students in sustainability-related research at the undergraduate and graduate levels, providing them with valuable experience to address real world challenges.
Sustainability is a shared responsibility embraced across the university’s student community. Through dynamic programs, peer-led initiatives and hands-on experiences, AUS students play a central role in promoting environmental and social responsibility on campus and beyond. Whether leading awareness campaigns, participating in global challenges, or collaborating with peers through clubs and academic associations, our students are at the forefront of driving meaningful, lasting change in support of the UN SDGs. Their passion and leadership are key to shaping a more sustainable future—one initiative at a time.
Through the award-winning EcoRep program, students engage the wider campus community with year-long challenges, workshops and awareness campaigns promoting sustainable living. The EcoRep program, established in 2018, empowers students to lead sustainability initiatives across campus through hands-on projects, awareness campaigns and community engagement. In 2025, the program won the Middle East title at the PRME Global Students initiative Regional Sustainability Awards for its outstanding environmental and social contributions, earning the AUS EcoReps a place at the global finals.
EcoReps engage residential students in many initiatives, including:
Our sustainability-oriented student clubs and academic associations encourage students to pursue their environmental interests outside of the classroom and connect with like-minded peers. These include:
AUS students drove youth climate action at COP28 through research, advocacy and global engagement. Read more.
Environmental science major Sameera Khan led sustainability efforts from AUS to COP29’s Blue Zone in Baku. Read more.
AUS co-hosted COY18 in Dubai, amplifying youth voices in global climate negotiations. Read more
AUS has been a proud partner of the Future17 SDG Challenge, a global initiative led by QS Quacquarelli Symonds and the University of Exeter. Multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary student teams mentored by selected faculty are matched with international corporations to work on an identified sustainability challenge. To date, the program has brought together over 300 students from nine universities to collaborate with 31 international organizations on real-world projects aligned with the UN SDGs. Participating in the challenge helps students apply academic knowledge to practical problems, enhancing their SDG literacy, and developing professional skills. The initiative reflects the university’s broader commitment to sustainability through education, research and campus engagement.
AUS completed a pilot of the Greening with Science, Technology and Innovation Bootcamp, an interactive program to empower students as key change agents for climate action. Over 16 weeks, multidisciplinary student teams participated in a series of virtual capacity-building masterclasses and coaching sessions hosted by UNESCO that helped them gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development. Alongside the virtual learning component, the teams were mentored by AUS professors to co-design solutions addressing SDG 13 (Climate Action). The bootcamp has proven to be a transformative learning experience for both professors and students, resulting in student research projects that are relevant, innovative and suitable for commercialization. Through its innovative educational approach, the bootcamp facilitated interdisciplinary, intergenerational and intercultural learning for sustainable development. The finalized curriculum will serve as a blueprint for implementation at other institutions with the goal to foster creative, science-driven solutions for addressing climate challenges effectively through collaboration.
AUS fosters sustainable living on campus, both in the student residential halls and for the wider campus community.
- Initially launched as the Green Living Learning Community, the year-long Green Living Challenge immerses residential students in sustainable living. Through daily habits, interactive challenges and community engagement, resident students learn to reduce waste, conserve energy and make eco-conscious choices using the Green Living Guide. Held in collaboration with the Office of Student Experience, the program promotes awareness and responsibility, encouraging students to take meaningful action for a healthier planet.
- The Manbat Farmers Market brings fresh, locally grown produce to campus, connecting students, faculty and staff with local farmers.
- The Cook for Change program introduces first-year resident students to sustainability through hands-on cooking experiences. It helps them develop essential life skills and improve their food literacy, while highlighting the important connection between personal health and environmental sustainability.
Our campus is a living laboratory for sustainability research. Our world-class faculty members conduct research that addresses regional and global environmental challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation and impactful community engagement.
Three out of AUS’ six research centers are dedicated to addressing sustainability challenges and driving innovation in their respective fields.
The Materials Research Center was set up to nurture and promote groundbreaking interdisciplinary research and education activities in the field of advanced materials and sustainable structures. It focuses on providing novel solutions and developing highly skilled human resources critical to the UAE’s economic growth, particularly as it transitions from a petroleum-based economy to a diversified knowledge based economy.
The Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainable Development is dedicated to enhancing the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and promoting sustainable development. Its work focuses on environmental, social and governance themes, and the role of entrepreneurship and innovation in driving sustainable growth.
The Energy, Water and Sustainable Environment Research Center aims to develop world-class research addressing global energy, water and environmental sustainability challenges. Faculty and scholars at the center are dedicated to finding practical solutions to the growing demands on resources in urban areas. The research enables AUS to contribute to several UAE strategic plans, such as UAE Net Zero 2050.
AUS endowed chairs play a pivotal role in advancing sustainability research by fostering collaboration, innovation and specialized expertise across various disciplines:
AUS made substantial research contributions aligned with the SDGs from 2021 to 2024. AUS produced 1,334 scholarly outputs, garnering 24,509 citations, demonstrating both high productivity and significant academic influence. A major strength of the AUS research portfolio is its comprehensive coverage across all 17 SDGs, with particularly strong performance in SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). Together, these two areas account for over 700 publications and nearly 13,000 citations, underscoring AUS’ leadership in advancing research on sustainable technologies, energy systems, and innovative infrastructure-domains critical to both the UAE’s and the global community’s sustainability agendas.
The field-weighted citation impact for AUS research in sustainability is also noteworthy, particularly under SDG 2: Zero Hunger, indicating that AUS publications in this domain are cited far more frequently than the global average. This reflects exceptional influence and relevance. High citation counts in SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation further highlight the university’s contributions to essential public health and environmental issues.
SDG |
Scholarly Output |
Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI)* |
Citation Count |
SDG 2: Zero Hunger (2023) |
31 |
16.83 |
775 |
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being (2023) |
284 |
12.84 |
9485 |
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation (2023) |
143 |
5.15 |
3370 |
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy (2023) |
423 |
1.96 |
6764 |
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (2023) |
305 |
1.74 |
6157 |
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities (2023) |
146 |
3.71 |
3053 |
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production (2023) |
200 |
1.8 |
3998 |
SDG 13: Climate Action (2023) |
168 |
3.4 |
4523 |
SDG 14: Life Below Water (2023) |
66 |
1.2 |
565 |
SDG 15: Life on Land (2023) |
40 |
2.07 |
647 |
Source: SciVa–data obtained on April 30, 2025
*An FCWI greater than 1 indicates that the publication is cited more than the global average for similar publications with impact being above average or strong.
AUS achieved significant milestones in sustainability research, including the development of an intelligent blockchain platform for carbon emissions trading, which enhances transparency, reduces costs and prevents issues like theft and double counting. This innovation led to a patent filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office and culminated in the establishment of the university's first-ever spin-off company, focusing on carbon credit markets. AUS also formed key partnerships, including collaborations with Sharjah Tourism to apply blockchain in sustainable tourism and with the Sharjah Entrepreneurial Center (Sheraa) to refine the business model and strategy for the spin-off.
Meet the Team
- Omar Al Nuaimi, Head of Sustainability
- Julia Carlow, Associate Head of Sustainability
- Nathalie Curabba, Sustainability Manager
- Rawand Abdullah, Sustainability Specialist
- Sahar Ibrahim, Sustainability Specialist
- Sameera Khan, Sustainability Specialist
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