| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.42 |
| Liaison | Austin Sutherland |
| Submission Date | Feb. 18, 2025 |
University of Pennsylvania
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Part 1. Measurable sustainability objectives
Academics
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
- Support cross-disciplinary research and coordination of work between Schools and Academic Centers.
- Improve the climate literacy of Penn students
- Support the City’s regional sustainability objectives and provide professional development opportunities to students
- Improve opportunities for a cohesive sustainability education at Penn
https://www.sustainability.upenn.edu/our-commitment/our-plan
Engagement
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
- Expand and strengthen existing outreach programs.
- Engage Penn's leadership to serve as sustainability change agents.
https://www.sustainability.upenn.edu/our-commitment/our-plan
Operations
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
- Reduce campus carbon emissions and the costs associated with maintaining campus operations by adopting best practices in energy conservation through design, operation, and maintenance of both building specific and district energy infrastructure.
- Explore and adopt best practices for campus energy procurement.
- Reduce Penn’s building-related carbon emissions by 40% by 2024, using 2009 as the baseline year, by:
• Investigating a renewable energy power purchase agreement
• Advancing enhanced recommissioning
• Continuing proactive maintenance
https://www.sustainability.upenn.edu/our-commitment/our-plan
Administration
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
- Integrate best practices in occupant health and wellness to Penn’s building standards
- Assess opportunities for implementation of WELL Building criteria in new construction and major renovations
- Incorporate sustainability as a formal component of the Wellness at Penn Initiative
https://www.sustainability.upenn.edu/our-commitment/our-plan
Part 2. Sustainability in institution’s highest guiding document
The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
Optional Fields
Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
Environmental sustainability is a defining issue of the 21st century, and higher education can play a leadership role in addressing global climate change. Through the research, teaching, and operational practices articulated in its Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 3.0, Penn is dedicated to promoting a sustainable culture and implementing environmentally conscious policies. These pages aim to tie together Penn’s efforts, plans, and goals.
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Penn’s Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee authored a definition of sustainability: https://upenn.box.com/s/akqrvb0pyg6en6kdw7grzw5p6blykl5
Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
| Yes or No | |
| The Earth Charter | No |
| The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) | No |
| ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter | Yes |
| Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability | No |
| SDG Accord | No |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | Yes |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | No |
| UN Global Compact | Yes |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | Yes |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
Penn is a signatory school for the President's Climate Commiitment and is part of the Carbon Commitment and the Race to Zero public commitments.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.