Ever since Penn formulated its first Climate Action Plan in 2009 [“Red and Blue Makes Green,” Nov|Dec 2009], every five years the University has released progress reports and announced new actions toward the goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2042. The latest iteration—the Climate & Sustainability Action Plan 4.0, covering fiscal years 2025 to 2029—came out in November.
To date, overall emissions have been cut by 47 percent from the baseline year of 2009. One highlight from the previous five-year plan—which added sustainability to the title—included a solar power purchase agreement [“Gazetteer,” Jul|Aug 2020] that became operational in 2023 and is anticipated to generate the equivalent of 70 percent of Penn’s electricity needs. Others included distribution of a climate change survey to the Penn community, the development and implementation of an ecological landscape stewardship plan, and the introduction of a program to track and offset carbon emissions resulting from Penn-related air travel.
As previous iterations have done, CSAP 4.0 includes initiatives covering seven areas: academics, utilities and operations, physical environment, procurement, strategic waste, transportation, and civic engagement and outreach. The new plan will be integrated with the University’s current strategic plan, In Principle and Practice [“Gazetteer,” Sep|Oct 2024], under the goal of leading “on the great challenges of our time.” The University also announced the appointment of Michael Mann as Penn’s inaugural vice provost for climate science, policy and action [“Gazetteer,” this issue]. CSAP 4.0 expands the boundaries of climate and sustainability efforts beyond Penn’s West Philadelphia campus to include New Bolton Center and the Morris Arboretum as well as Penn-owned real estate properties. It will also incorporate the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which recently developed its own plan for climate action.
“Penn’s strategic framework calls on all of us to bend our talents toward answering great challenges. As Franklin’s University, we are up to the task,” wrote Penn Interim President J. Larry Jameson in an introductory note. “CSAP 4.0 outlines our community’s commitment and will guide our collective strengths for climate and sustainability action over the next 5 years. I encourage everyone to read this plan carefully and then get involved as we move forward with determination, urgency, and ingenuity.”