News

Local, regional, national and international news is shared here as well as university press releases and statements related to sustainability. If you’d like to submit a news item to be considered for placement on this page, please click here.

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Penn Transit's Electric Fleet

Penn Transit has added four 100% electric powered vans to its vehicle fleet.

Caring for the Campus Landscape with an Ecological Mindset

The Ecological Landscape Stewardship Plan, developed in 2018, offers a framework for the Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services to design, maintain, and celebrate the beauty of the campus landscape with an emphasis on its role as a balanced ecological system.

Five years since the Ecological Landscape Stewardship Plan was written, the effort that goes into maintaining and beautifying Penn’s campus incorporates ecology and sustainability more than ever before.

Penn Presents Progress in Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 3.0 FY22 Annual Report

Progress on construction of a solar energy project, completion of a carbon footprint for Penn’s real estate holdings, and the first purchase of carbon offsets for Penn’s air travel, are significant achievements for progress against the goals of the University of Pennsylvania’s Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 3.0 completed in FY22.

Penn students strolling under green canopy

Penn Receives Top Ten Ranking for Sustainability Efforts

In October 2022, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a global higher education analytics company, announced that Penn ranked #2 in the nation and #8 globally in their 2023 World University Rankings for Sustainability.

Picture of students walking on Locust Walk

Penn Awarded Silver Designation as Bicycle Friendly University

Awarded in Fall 2022 and lasting through 2026, the Silver designation recognizes the University's commitment to campus sustainability and community health by promoting a safe and bicycle friendly environment.

Silver designation award from League of American Bicyclists

Penn's Campus Maintains Level II Arboretum Status

To achieve Level II status in late 2017, Penn's campus met the heightened criteria of developing a minimum of 100 species, varieties, or cultivars of trees or woody plants, as well as enhanced educational and public programming related to tree ecology and conservation.

Penn Offsets Carbon Emissions from Air Travel

The University of Pennsylvania has begun purchasing carbon offsets for Penn’s air travel emissions, as part of its plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2042.

Picture of a plane flying amongst the clouds

Penn recognized as top performer in 2022 Sustainable Campus Index

A publication from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing sustainable colleges and universities overall and in 17 impact areas, as measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).