SPRING 2020
Penn Signs Power Purchase Agreement with Community Energy for Largest Solar Project in Pennsylvania
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.
New Penn Sustainability Video Premieres
In October 2019, Penn introduced its new Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 3.0 , an update of our roadmap towards environmental sustainability. Our actions in this area began in 2007, and have produced tangible results that we are proud to share with you in the video below.
Get Involved: Student Advisory Group and Staff & Faculty
Eco-Reps
Undergraduate or Graduate students interested in participating in the implementation of the Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 3.0 (CSAP 3.0) are invited to join the Student Advisory Group for the Environment (SAGE).
Learn more and apply on the Penn Sustainability website.
Staff & Faculty Eco-Reps work with campus stakeholders and within their departments and offices to develop educational events, activities, and campaigns aimed at supporting the University’s environmental goals and Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 3.0 .
Learn more and apply on the Penn Sustainability website.
Call for Nominations: 2020 Penn Purchasing Award
Call for nominations are now open for Penn’s Green Purchasing Awards. Now in its sixth year, this award recognizes the leading actions of any individual or team that advances the development of sustainable purchasing practices at Penn. Read about past awardees and learn about 2020 nominations.
Student Eco-Rep Project Presentations
On April 17, Penn’s Student Eco-Reps and University partners showcase year-long campus sustainability projects via an online meeting. View the presentations on Penn Sustainability’s YouTube channel.
EII Links Academics to Environmental Sustainability
In December, the Office of the Provost announced the creation of the Environmental Innovations Initiative (EII). The EII will bring together researchers, scholars, and students to develop new ideas and innovative solutions for our global environment. It is designed to maximize Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary strengths, building collaborations across disciplines and creating a catalyst to spur new areas of inquiry across such areas as climate change, sustainability, and environmental equity, among others.
Learn more on the Penn Provost website.
Webinar Describes Power Purchase Agreement
To offer more detail on Penn’s recently announced solar Power Purchase Agreement, a webinar was presented on April 22. Speakers were Penn Prof. Andrew Huemmler, Senior Lecturer in Penn Engineering; Ben Suplick, Director, Engineering & Energy Planning, Facilities & Real Estate Services; Jay Carlis, Executive Vice President, Community Energy; and Andy Nyholm, a Penn senior in the VIPER program studying Physics and Materials Science & Engineering, served as moderator.
View the webinar on the Penn Sustainability YouTube channel. FAQs about the PPA can provide further information.
Penn Earns Tree Campus USA Designation for the 11 th Consecutive Year
For the eleventh year in a row, Penn has been named a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. The Tree Campus USA program recognizes college and university campuses that effectively manage their campus trees. Learn more about this honor, and Penn’s trees with the Penn Plant Explorer .
Catering @Penn
A new webpage provides search functionality for information about Penn’s Preferred Contract Caterers . Users can now search for caterers based on cuisine and dietary preference (e.g. kosher, halal, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc.). In addition, and in support of Penn’s environmental and economic sustainability priorities, users are now able to search for caterers based on diversity classification, environmental sustainability capabilities, and local/regional designations. With these tools in place, every effort should be made to utilize local and diverse suppliers, while choosing services that are environmentally sustainable.
30x30 Challenge Adapts for Social Distancing
Participants in the 30x30 Challenge are charged with spending at least 30 minutes per day outdoors during the month of April. This year, the program was adjusted to accommodate social distancing guidelines yet encourage everyone to enjoy parks, trails, and community gardens. Approximately 166 people signed up this year; many shared their adventures on Penn Sustainability’s social media accounts .
Prescribing Nature – in Penn Today
Campus programs, Nature Rx and the 30x30 Challenge, were featured in an April 21 news article in Penn Today .