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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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Featured

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)

Natural Environment

Bird-Friendly Penn

Penn’s campus is shared by many, including the birds who call it home. Spearheaded by FRES Landscape Architecture, the Bird-friendly Penn program integrates bird-friendly landscapes, reduces bird strikes on buildings, and raises awareness of birds on Penn’s campus.

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.

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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