A Roadmap Towards Environmental Sustainability
Penn Sustainability is a University-wide initiative to advance environmental sustainability at the University of Pennsylvania, and coordinate programs to develop a more sustainable campus.
The University's signing of the Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2007 charged Penn to develop a strategic plan outlining the University’s goals for carbon reduction. Penn’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) was unveiled in 2009, and set the roadmap for Penn’s work toward environmental sustainability through efforts in seven areas: Academics, Utilities & Operations, Physical Environment, Waste & Recycling, Purchasing, Transportation, and Outreach & Engagement. In 2014, the University reported on five years of achievement and expanded its efforts with Climate Action Plan 2.0 (CAP2.0) and, more recently, we published a summary report that highlights efforts taken between 2020 and 2024 to drive progress toward achieving the goals of the Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 3.0 (CSAP 3.0)
The latest and fourth iteration of Penn’s Climate and Sustainability Action Plan (CSAP 4.0) marks a milestone in our evolution as one of the world’s premier teaching and research institutions for sustainability. Building on our legacy, CSAP 4.0 reflects Penn’s continued commitment to:
- Alignment with the University of Pennsylvania Health System’s inaugural sustainability plan.
- Inclusion of civic engagement sustainability goals.
- Expansion of scope beyond the West Philadelphia academic campus to encompass: University of Pennsylvania Health System, Morris Arboretum, New Bolton Center, and Penn-owned real estate properties.
- Setting of ambitious 2024-2029 goals, blending measurable targets such as carbon emissions reductions with the development of new initiatives to drive progress over the next five years.
Learn more about Penn Sustainability:
www.sustainability.upenn.edu