NAFSA is committed to hosting a more sustainable conference experience. Our choice of eco-conscious venues, vendors, signage, and marketing are made in accordance with that ethic. 

• NAFSA is providing aluminum water bottles for attendees rather than plastic ones for the first time.
• We are working with exhibitors to educate them on how to "green" their presence in the Expo.
• The conference features more digital signage than ever and all printed signage at the conference are recyclable.
• While compliance requirements of many higher education institutions in the United States and around the world prevent us from eliminating paper from the registration cycle, we have reduced our footprint by only using sustainable ink and paper. 

Every year, we strive to do more. An organizational sustainability consultant has identified priority areas of improvement and high-impact practices to adopt. An internal working group is charged with identifying best practices in sustainable event planning and creating a roadmap for continuous improvement. Next year, for example, we will have more sustainable badge holders. The event planning cycle is such that our progress in implementing new practices is the work of years, not months but we are dedicated to consistent progress.

San Diego is the ideal partner for NAFSA 2025. The city holds a LEED® Gold Certification for Cities and Communities and is advancing an ambitious Climate Action Plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035. The San Diego Convention Center supports this vision with impactful green practices:

• 50% renewable energy through San Diego Community Power
• LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances
• Local, seasonal food sourcing and composting programs
• Water bottle refill stations and 4-stream recycling
• Walkable location near transit, hotels, and the airport
• NAFSA is also partnering with local vendors for sustainable materials, reducing single-use plastics, and limiting printed signage through digital and recyclable solutions.
• Partnering with CANIE to reduce emissions via #TravelwithCANIE

We recognize that the act of convening an international conference has a large environmental footprint associated with it. However, the NAFSA conference is such a comprehensive event that it also creates the opportunity for travel efficiencies: NAFSA consistently receives feedback from attendees who say that by attending this once-a-year, in-person conference, they eliminate the need for multiple trips to engage with their global network and partners. We are proud to provide the field with this service and seek to offset our impact in other ways. Calls for boycotts or eliminating annual convenings--while well-meaning--overlook the impact on those whose livelihoods depend on this work. We welcome suggestions from the field in what should be a joint effort in committing to thoughtful, courageous, and constructive engagement.

Sustainability Programs

NAFSA is proud to support numerous programs, sessions, and poster fair presentations outlining our commitment to sustainability and best practices for international educators. Learn more about the programs listed below in the NAFSA 2025 Online Planner.

Monday, May 26

• 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM PST: Workshop (WS01): Advancing the UN SDGs through Leadership, Learning, and Partnerships

Tuesday, May 27

• 12:30 – 4:00 PM PST Learning Excursion at University of San Diego: The Politics of the Environment
  • Pre-registration required. $40 per person

Wednesday, May 28

• 8:15 – 9:05 AM PST: Connecting Purpose, Place, and Partnerships to Advance the SDGs through Education Abroad
• 8:15 – 9:05 AM PST: Educating for Impact: Supporting Students to Contribute to Sustainability
• 2:30 – 3:20 PM PST: The Green Equation: The Impact of Sustainability on Student Choices

Thursday, May 29

• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST Poster Fair Theme – Sustainability in International Education
• 9:30 – 10:20 AM PST: Empowering Global Citizens to Create Climate Solutions Through International Education
• 11:30 – 11:55 AM PST: Promoting Eco-Friendly Travels with Gently Used Travel Gear Giveaways
• 3:00 – 3:50 PM PST: Models for Sustainability Action in International Education

Friday, May 30

• 8:30 – 9:20 AM PST: Spotlight Speaker: Climate and Energy Under the Second Trump Administration by David Victor
• 10:30 – 11:20 AM PST: Sustainability Special Interest Group
• 11:30 AM – 12:20 PM PST: Views from Europe on Global Solutions to the Environmental Impacts of Study Abroad

Sustainability Poster Fair Presentations 

Thursday, May 29

• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST: A Sustainable Shield: Crisis Management and Environmental Advocacy in UEP
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST: Co-creating Resilient Cities
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST: Colombia, Mexico, USA: Creating Sustainability Awareness in Students Using COIL
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST: Education as the Catalyst for Sustainable Development
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST: Educational Community as a Catalyst for More Inclusive Climate Action
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST: Examining Cross-Border Tele-Support Coaching for International Special Education Staff
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST: Fashion Forward: Sustainable Programming Proving Resources and Building Cross-Department Connections
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST: Food, Forests, and Friendship: Creating Lasting Impact for Students
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST: Indigenous and Outdoor Education Open Up Different Relationships with Nature
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST: Inspiring Sustainability Action: Inner Development and Experiential Learning in Brazil
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST: Leveraging the NAFSA UN MIG to Foster Global Learning and Leadership
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST: Navigating the Green Wave: The Future of Sustainable Student Recruitment
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST: Sustainability in International Education Integrates Sustainable Practices SDG and Global Citizenship
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST: Sustainable Short-Term Programs With High Educational Impact (Onsite, Hybrid, Online)
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST: Water Business for a Better World: From COIL to Action

Commitment to Sustainability: NAFSA 2025 and Beyond

Our commitment extends beyond the conference, as NAFSA continually integrates sustainable practices throughout the year and into the future. NAFSA is an official signatory of the Climate Action Network for International Education (CANIE) Accord. We champion environmentally sustainable practices.