| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.42 |
| Liaison | Austin Sutherland |
| Submission Date | Feb. 18, 2025 |
University of Pennsylvania
PRE-2: Points of Distinction
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Name of the institution’s featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Climate Impact Offset (CLIO) Charges
A brief description of the institution’s featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Effective July 1, 2021, a Climate Impact Offset (CLIO) charge is applied to Penn business travel, whether the travel is booked or expensed through Concur, the University’s travel management system. This new program, included in Procurement Policy 2371, formalizes the University’s commitment to sustainable travel and is in alignment with Penn Compact 2022 and Penn’s Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 3.0 (CSAP 3.0).
The fees that will be collected as part of this initiative ($11 for domestic flights and $25 for international flights) are an important part of the University’s strategy to address activities such as the carbon emissions resulting from air travel. Penn is taking a careful and targeted approach to carbon offsets, which broadly refers to any activity that leads to a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases to compensate for emissions made somewhere else. Carbon offsets are often described as a practical and effective way to address climate change and encourage the growth of renewable energy.
Initially, CLIOs will counteract air travel emissions by purchasing offsets from a market provider. The University will also be seeking to invest the proceeds in verified carbon offset projects, like improving air quality, reducing urban heat island effect, and improving economic conditions locally.
With the creation of CLIOs, and through the ongoing management of Penn’s Travel Sustainability Fund, the University will continue to engage Penn’s faculty, staff, and students in the pursuit of addressing Penn’s carbon footprint.
Which of the following impact areas does the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Air & Climate
Energy
Transportation
Energy
Transportation
Optional Fields
STARS credit in which the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
IN-47: Innovation A
A photograph or document associated with the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
---
Second Point of Distinction
Penn's Power Purchase Agreement
A brief description of the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
The University of Pennsylvania has taken significant strides toward its goal of achieving 100% carbon neutrality by 2042 with the operation of two massive solar arrays, Great Cove I and II, located on 1,600 acres in central Pennsylvania. This project, the largest solar initiative in the state, consists of over 485,000 panels generating 220 megawatts of power. Through a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed in 2020 with AES Corporation (formerly Community Energy), Penn will purchase all the electricity produced, which is expected to cover 70% of the university’s energy demand.
The project is projected to reduce Penn’s carbon emissions by 26% from 2009 levels and produce 400,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually. This initiative aligns with Penn’s Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 3.0, which lays out its carbon-neutral pledge. In addition to environmental benefits, the project supports the local community by utilizing local workers and leasing farmland from retired farmers.
The partnership with AES also facilitates educational opportunities for Penn students, including internships and research into the environmental impacts of solar arrays. For instance, a Penn student is conducting research on soil health and carbon sequestration at the solar sites.
This milestone demonstrates Penn’s leadership in climate action, significantly contributing to both its campus sustainability goals and broader efforts to address climate change.
Which impact areas does the second program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Research
Public Engagement
Energy
Public Engagement
Energy
Website URL where more information about the second program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the second program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
IN-48: Innovation B
A photograph or document associated with the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
---
Third Point of Distinction
Penn Libraries Book Prize in Sustainability
A brief description of the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
The annual award acknowledges outstanding contributions to the global discourse on environmental sustainability, with a specific focus on books that have a substantial impact on the public's understanding of these crucial issues.
The winning author will receive an $8,000 cash prize and will present their award-winning research.
Which impact areas does the third program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Research
Public Engagement
Public Engagement
Website URL where more information about the third program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the third program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
IN-50: Innovation D
A photograph or document associated with the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
---
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.