UPenn releases Climate Action Plan

UPenn releases Climate Action Plan

In 2007, the University of Pennsylvania’s President Amy Gutmann signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).  This pledge committed Penn to developing plans for significant reduction of its emissions of climate-altering greenhouse gases.  The Climate Action Plan lays out the strategies that will be adopted by the University of Pennsylvania to achieve these goals, as well as the means to track and communicate progress to the Penn community and external audiences.
The Climate Action Plan responds to the aspirations of the ACUPCC by providing the summary of Penn’s current sustainability efforts and the framework for future goals and initiatives. By posting this document online, Penn is publicly committing to meeting our goals, and to making our inventory, goals, and progress reports publicly available.

The Climate Action Plan sets goals and objectives designed to raise the level of visibility and awareness of sustainability efforts on campus and to encourage new behaviors such as:

• Conserving energy by turning off lights and unplugging unused electronics;
• Minimizing waste by consuming less and increasing our recycling practices;
• Continuing our practice of purchasing renewable energy and managing building operations and temperatures;
• Building greener buildings and landscapes such as the Annenberg Public Policy Center, the new Music Building, Weiss Pavilion and the new Penn Park; and
• Reducing auto emissions by carpooling, taking SEPTA, walking and biking.

Executive Summary (PDF)

Full Document (PDF)