Pagoda Projects offers a range of programs that combine professional development with cultural immersion, aiming to prepare university students for global careers. Their experiences include internships and cultural exchange programs, all designed to enhance students' skills and broaden their perspectives.

B Corp Certification and Sustainability

Pagoda Projects is committed to sustainability, a commitment reflected in their B Corp certification and their emphasis on sustainable experiences. While Pagoda Projects excelled in social impact, particularly in supporting students from diverse and underserved backgrounds, they recognized the need to enhance their environmental sustainability practices. This led to the development of carbon conscious programs focused on carbon literacy and sustainable practices.

Identify an Area of the Business to Focus on

In an effort to further their sustainability goals, Pagoda Projects decided to pilot carbon offsetting within their Sustainable Global Experience program. This program, which includes both online carbon literacy training and in-person workshops, was chosen as the initial focus for offsetting due to its structured approach to educating students about climate action. The program has expanded from 160 students in 2022 to over 200 in 2024, reflecting the increasing significance of the subject to students. The carbon offset pilot aims to measure and offset the travel emissions generated by this program, with the intention of scaling these efforts to other areas of the business within the next three years. This year, they offset the 150% of the emissions generated from travel associated with the program.

Pagoda Projects believes that educating the next generation about sustainable practices is crucial for fostering global citizenship and responsible leadership. By embedding sustainability into this program, they not only reduce their own environmental footprint but also empower students to become advocates for climate action in their future careers.

Find a Strategic Partner

Pagoda Projects partners with CNaught to offset the carbon emissions from their Sustainable Global Experience program. CNaught’s high-quality and impactful portfolio of carbon credits was selected because the values aligned with Pagoda Projects' emphasis on climate equity and responsibility. CNaught’s portfolio allowed Pagoda Projects to ensure that their offsetting efforts were both effective and meaningful, while backing projects that support several of the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals. 

Create a Playbook and Scale It

For companies looking to implement sustainability initiatives, Pagoda Projects' pilot approach offers a valuable roadmap. Start small by identifying a specific area or program to pilot sustainability practices. Measure the impact, learn from the experience, and refine the approach. Once a successful system is in place, scale it to other parts of the organization. This method not only makes sustainability more manageable but also demonstrates tangible progress to stakeholders, creating momentum for broader environmental impact.

By piloting carbon offsetting within a focused program and partnering with organizations like CNaught, Pagoda Projects exemplifies how businesses can integrate sustainability into their operations and make a meaningful climate impact without needing a business-wide strategy.

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Read more about Pagoda Projects and their Sustainable Global Experience program here.

To learn more about developing a sustainability pilot for your business, reach out to us here. We’ll help you build the strategy.