Working together for a sustainable future.

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United in action for a sustainable future.

Working collaboratively with our students, staff and faculty, Penn Sustainability aims to foster innovation, empower future leaders and recognize advancements in university-wide social, environmental and economic change.

Penn’s Climate & Sustainability Action Plan (CSAP) outlines our commitments and progress to achieving ambitious goals, like 100% carbon neutrality on campus by 2042.

Read the Plan

Learn more about Penn Sustainability

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group on college green speaker with banners

Event

Sept 18-22 Climate Week at Penn

The climate emergency is everyone's business. Join us during Climate Week at Penn to find your place in the climate movement. A campus-wide coalition will offer presentations, lectures, events and more to share perspectives on the climate emergency.

Featured

Penn's Power Purchase Agreement

The University of Pennsylvania has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the creation of a solar power project moving the University significantly closer to meeting its commitment of a 100% carbon neutral campus by 2042. (Photo credit: AES)

Skyview of the courtyard and field at Lauder

Sustainable Design

LEED Buildings

The campus development plan, Penn Connects, recommends sustainable development for all new projects. Every new building and major renovation project currently under design is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and is targeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification.

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Campus Initiatives

Our Climate & Sustainability Action Plan is our roadmap to a more equitable, sustainable future. These initiatives all work toward the University’s ambitious sustainability goals.

Built Environment

Civic Engagement

Climate & Energy

Food

Natural Environment

Procurement

In circumstances when plastic petri dishes are necessary for laboratory work, Preston ensure that they are properly cleaned and sorted for recycling. Reducing waste of all kinds, however, is the number one goal.

Recycling & Waste

Woman walking bike down concourse under tree canopy

Transportation

Students participate in yoga during Earth Week

Wellness

About Our Initiatives

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Our Progress

45%

Reduction in campus GHG emissions.

6,750

Trees on Penn’s campus.

72%

Of commuting trips made by Penn employees on average are by an alternative to single-occupancy vehicles.

4,278

Students enrolled in sustainability related courses in the 2022-2023 academic year.

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Get Involved

Our legacy is laid by the Penn community. Students, staff, and faculty empower change through collective action. Join the movement today.

students

Green Living Certification

Green Living Certification provides recognition for the individual decisions you make on a daily basis to live in a sustainable way, even if seemingly small.

Apply Now

Faculty | Staff

Green Office Certification

Offices represent a significant portion of Penn’s energy and material use and waste production. The Penn Sustainability Office recognizes the efforts of staff and faculty to green their daily activities by offering four levels of Green Office certification.

Faculty | Staff | Students

Green Labs Program

The Green Labs Program at Penn aims to improve safety and sustainability through educating and empowering lab staff on best practices in labs.

Students

Student Advisory Group for the Environment

In addition to SAGE’s advisory role, the group also communicates and promotes environmentally focused resources and serves to increase transparency between the student body and administration regarding environmental sustainability initiatives.

MORE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

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