At CIS Abroad, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a value that shapes how we travel, partner, and plan. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary in Barcelona, we’re making intentional choices to minimize our environmental impact and highlight the sustainability efforts of our hosts. From selecting a city that supports low-carbon travel and waste reduction, to partnering with accommodations and universities that prioritize green practices, we’re committed to making this celebration as eco-friendly as it is memorable. Read on to see what our partners are doing, the decisions we’ve made to reduce our footprint, and how you can join us in traveling more sustainably.
Why Barcelona and what are our partners doing?
Barcelona is a large city with many direct flights and easy access to Europe via train travel. Less connecting flights with multiple take offs means less carbon emissions!
Barcelona has an extensive waste and recycling system - get ready to sort your trash and recycling!
Public transport – This includes an extensive public bike fleet, electric busses, and frequent trains. Read more in the "About Barcelona - How to Get Around" section of this guide.
Green spaces, public parks and superblocks “superilles” which are intersections converted into public and green space to prioritize people and nature.
Culinary scene increasingly focuses on locally sourced ingredients which is as relevant to cultural preservation as environmental. The has a 2030 Healthy and Sustainable Food Strategy
Buildings with designs that prioritize energy consumption and efficiency, waste reduction, and water saving.
Has a clear Climate Action Plan for 2030 with plans such as reducing emissions by 45% compared to 2005, increasing solar generation and green spaces, and reducing private motor travel and domestic water consumption.
Aparto
Aparto uses 100% Green Electricity with Endesa (Power company).
The building was designed to be more efficient and sustainable and they have a Certification LEED Platinum and have respectful use of air conditioning and heating.
Aparto staff send out an Awareness Communication to guests, educating on how to separate waste.
Encourages students to donate clothes at the end of their stay, which are given to second-hand shops.
Aparto will provide reusable thermoses and bottles and we will be using the compostable cutlery provided by catering.
University Partners
All three of our university partners have varying sustainability strategies and commitments. Read more about them in the Barcelona Sustainability section.
What are we doing? What choices are we making?
Travel Logistics
We have strategically planned and encouraged group and personal site visits and staff travel to make use of our big overseas flight more worth
Public Transport
Accommodations, events and activities are convenient to city and airport via public transport
Accommodations & Meeting Spaces
Additional signage for waste receptacles, helping attendees to understand how to separate for city collection
We have made a sustainable choice to not use sticky notes, posters, or notepads, but instead take notes in a notebook or laptop when needed.
Food
Honest Greens – providing compostable supplies that will ACTUALLY be composted in industrial compost sites
Volta welcome dinner restaurant has partnership with Catalan community of small organic producers, cheesemakers and winegrowers, who produce ingredients using sustainable and traditional methods