The USAC Green Pact
University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) commits to making sustainability practices a key priority in its organizational and programming decisions, and in how it operates within communities worldwide.
As part of a five-year initiative, USAC agrees to actively improve its environmental stewardship through this Green Pact, proclaiming this to our international partners, American institutions, faculty, staff, and students. This pact requires we improve our green business practices, reduce environmental travel impact wherever possible, increase offerings for sustainability education opportunities, and increase sustainability and community impact practices abroad. By 2030, USAC will have made a measurable reduction in its carbon footprint.
We are international education professionals who strongly believe that through these practices, we will improve our positive impact on the environment through reduction and elimination methods and invent new ways to do our part to mitigate climate change.
Learn about our commitment to sustainability
Sustainability standards
USAC’s Green Pact goals were created to focus on increasing and improving our sustainability practices. We researched various sustainability resources and organizations to guide our principles. Some of these included sustainable tourism and travel guides, higher educational institute practices, and sustainability goals identified by the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for tourism.
- Adventure Travel Trade Association
- Berkeley Study Abroad Guide
- World Economic Forum - Sustainable Tourism
- George Washington University Institute of Tourism
- Sustainable Education Abroad
- Sustainable Travel International
- United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for tourism
- Water Roadmap for Travel & Tourism
Resources for sustainable travelers
Explore ways to become a conscientious and sustainable traveler, fostering positive change during your study abroad journey.