Climate Action PlanUniversity of Pennsylvania

Executive Summary

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Table of Contents

1 LetterfromPresidentGutmann ......................................................................................... 52 Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................. 73 ExecutiveSummary ............................................................................................................. 9

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Meeting on College Green Takes on a Whole New Meaning These Days for the Red and the Blue

Environmentalsustainabilityisadefiningissueofthe21stcentury.Highereducationcanplayaleadershiproleinaddressingglobalclimatechange.Throughitsresearch,teaching,andoperationalpractices,Pennisdedicatedtopromotingasustainablecultureandimplementingenvironmentally-consciouspolicies.IsignedtheAmericanCollegeandUniversityPresident’sClimateCommitmentin2007andpledgedthatPennwoulddevelopplanstoreduceouremissionsofgreenhousegases.OurrenewableenergypurchasesandourefficientoperationshaveallowedustoexceedtheKyotoProtocolcarbonreductiontargets.OurPlanrepresentsanewapproachtohowwethinkandbehave.Iampleasedtosharewithyouthissummaryofourstrategies,andIinviteyoutovisittheGreenCampusPartnershipwebsite.

PleasejoininoureffortstofosteramoresustainableUniversitycommunitythatraisesenvironmentalawarenessandcontributestoahealthierplanet.

AMYGUTMANNPresident

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AcknowledgementsWewouldliketoextendgratefulthankstothefollowinglistedpeople,whocontributedtothedevelopmentoftheUniversityofPennsylvania’sClimate Action Planoverthepasttwoyears.Weareindebtedtoyourgoodjudgment,fairevaluations,andgreenconscience.

University of Pennsylvania Administration

AmyGutmann PresidentCraigCarnaroli ExecutiveVicePresidentVincentPrice ProvostGregoryS.Rost VicePresidentandChiefofStaffAnnePapageorge VicePresident,FacilitiesandRealEstateServicesMarieWitt VicePresident,BusinessServicesDanielGarofalo EnvironmentalSustainabilityCoordinator

Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee (ESAC) Chairs

AndrewBinns Co-ChairAcademics,SchoolofArtsandSciences&ProvostsOfficeMarshaLester Co-ChairAcademics,SchoolofArtsandSciencesAnthonySorrentinoChairCommunications,OfficeoftheExecutiveVicePresidentDavidHollenberg Co-ChairPhysicalEnvironment,UniversityArchitectEricWeckel Co-ChairPhysicalEnvironment,SchoolofMedicineKyleRosato ChairRecycling,EnvironmentalHealthandRadiationSafetyLarryBell Co-ChairTransportation,BusinessServicesDivisionVukanVuchic Co-ChairTransportation,SchoolofEngineeringandAppliedSciencesWilliamBraham Co-ChairUtilitiesandOperations,PennDesignJoeMonahan Co-ChairUtilitiesandOperations,FacilitiesandRealEstateServices(AcompletelistofESACmembersandsubcommitteeparticipantsisincludedinAppendixC)

Sustainability Team Associates

SarahAbroms 2008-2009AssistantSustainabilityCoordinator,BAinBiology,2008SteveBelfiglio SustainabilityCommunicationsAssociate,BAinCommunications,2007BrittanyBonnette SustainabilityInitiativesAssociate,BAinUrbanStudies,2008SarahFisher SustainabilityAssociate,MasterofCityPlanning,2009LydiaNicoleHermoSustainabilityAssociate,MasterofArchitecture,2009KathyLent SustainabilityAssociate,MasterofArchitecture,2007Sarah-JaneLittlefordAssistantSustainabilityCoordinator,BAinSustainableDevelopment,2009

ExecutiveSummary

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3 Executive SummaryIn2007,UniversityofPennsylvaniaPresidentAmyGutmannsignedtheAmericanCollegeandUniversityPresident’sClimateCommitment(ACUPCC).ThispledgecommittedPenntodevelopingplansforlong-termreductionofitsemissionsofclimate-alteringgreenhousegases.ThefollowingClimate Action Plan laysoutthestrategiesthatwillbeadoptedbytheUniversityofPennsylvaniatoachievethisgoal,aswellasthemeanstotrackandcommunicateprogresstothePenncommunityandexternalaudiences.

Penniswellpositionedtoenhanceitsleadershipinenvironmentalsustainabilityandresponsibleuseofresources.TheUniversityisalreadyrecognizedbytheUSEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)asaleaderingreenenergypurchasing,havingreceivedtheGreen Power Awardforthepastthreeyears,asthenumberonepurchaserofwind-powerrenewableenergycreditsamongAmericancollegesanduniversities.

Asaninstitutiondedicatedtoexcellenceinteachingandresearch,Pennbenefitsfromastrongsharedmissionandinterdisciplinarycollaborationacrossitstwelveliberalartsandprofessionalschools.OneofPenn’sgreateststrengthsisitsabilitytoassembleresourcesfrombothacademiaanditsadministration,tomobilizetheenthusiasm,expertise,anddedicationofitsfaculty,staff,andstudentstofindsolutionstocomplexsocietalissues.Penn’sresponsetosustainabilityandtothethreatofglobalwarmingpresentsjustsuchachallenge.

“This is a defining issue of the 21st century, and I am proud to sign on and promote higher education as a leader in addressing global climate change through research, education and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. At Penn, we must recognize the impact of a research institution of our size and acknowledge that our actions extend beyond our campus and have global consequences.”

-PresidentAmyGutmann,February13,2007

Development of the Climate Action Plan

Penn’sClimate Action Planbuildsonextensiveexperienceinenergyandresourcemanagement.TheTCChanCenterforEnergyandSimulationinPenn’sSchoolofDesignwascommissionedin2006bytheDivisionofFacilitiesandRealEstateServices(FRES)toconductacomprehensiveenvironmentalassessmentofcampusoperations.Thisstudy,carriedoutinclosecollaborationwithFRESstaff,demonstratedexpertiseinassessingcampusenergysystems,andprovidedinvaluableguidanceforPenn’ssustainabilitymission.Buildingonthecapacitydevelopedduringthisassessment,Pennnowtrackscampuscarbonemissions,andhaspublishedcarboninventoriesforfiscalyears2007,2008,and2009(Sections5.2,5.3,and5.4).

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WhiletheworkwiththeTCChanCenterprovidedagoodfoundation,thesigningoftheACUPCCfocusedcampusattentionontheneedtogaininputfromabroadersetofcampusconstituencies.PenncreatedtheEnvironmentalSustainabilityAdvisoryCommittee(ESAC),madeupoffaculty,administrators,andstudents,andchairedbytheVicePresidentofFRES,andchargedthisgrouptodevelopUniversity-widerecommendationsandimplementationstrategiesforaClimate Action Plan.ESACestablishedsixcomprehensivethemesanddisciplinesasthemostsignificantavenuesforreducingPenn’scarbonfootprintandenhancingoverallsustainability;subcommitteeswereassembledtofocusonthesespecificaspectsofthebroadESACgoals.Tomanagethesubcommitteesandresearchthefeasibilityofspecificrecommendations,aSustainabilityTeam,undertheEnvironmentalSustainabilityCoordinator,wasestablished,consistingofacoordinatorassistedbya

numberofsustainabilityassociates.Finally,anumbrellaorganization,theGreenCampusPartnership(GCP),wascreatedtodevelopinitiativesacrosstheUniversity.TheGCPisavirtualorganization,madeupofconstituentsfromacrosstheuniversity,whichfacilitatescommunicationanddialogue.TheGreenCampusPartnershipiscomprisedofseniorstafffromacrosstheuniversity,andleadersfromstudentgroups,andisstaffedbycurrentstudentsandrecentgraduates.

Overthecourseof2009,therecommendedgoalsandstrategiesofthecommitteewerevettedwithkeystakeholdergroupsacrosscampussuchas:

CouncilofDeans•

FacultySenate•

GraduateandProfessionalStudent•Assembly

UndergraduateAssembly•

ViceProvostCouncilforResearch•

SeniorRoundtable•

PennProfessionalStaffAssembly•

UniversityCouncil,•

TrusteesoftheUniversityof•Pennsylvania

One of Penn’s greatest strengths is its ability to assemble resources from both academia and administration, and to mobilize the enthusiasm, expertise, and dedication of its faculty, staff, and students in finding solutions to complex societal issues.

Conserve Energy Design GreenReduce EmissionsMinimize WasteLearn Sustainability

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Utilities and Operations (Section 5.5): The goals are to reduce energy usage by 5 percent from the 2007 baseline in fiscal year 2010, and a 17 percent decrease from the 2007 baseline by 2014. Strategiesinclude:

Eliminatethegrowthinenergyusein•existingbuildingsthrougheducationandmanagement;

Improvetheefficiencyofexisting•buildings’utilitysystems,andadoptconservationmeasuressuchasbuildingre-commissioning,metering,andincentivesforbetterenergyperformance;and

Continuepurchaseofrenewable•energycredits(RECs).

Physical Environment (Section5.6): The goals are to create and maintain a sustainable campus by increasing green space, decreasing building energy consumption, and increasing education and awareness of sustainable design.Strategiesinclude:

AdoptLEEDSilverCertification,with•Penn-specificgoals,asaminimumstandardfornewconstructionandmajorrenovations;

ProvidetrainingtoPennstaffon•sustainabledesignandconstructionpractices;and

Implementincreasinglysustainable•protocolsforsiteplanningandlandscapemaintenance.

Transportation (Section5.7): The goal is to emphasize and plan a quality pedestrian campus environment, encourage use of public transportation for commuting, and provide safe, efficient local transportation services for the University community.Strategiesinclude:

Investigatepublictransportation•subsidythroughpartnershipwithSEPTA;

Improvebicycleandpedestrian•environments;and

ImprovethefuelefficiencyofPenn’s•vehiclefleet.

Waste Minimization and Recycling (Section5.8): The goals are to double Penn’s diversion rate of paper, cardboard, commingled recyclables to 40 percent by 2014, and reduce Penn’s overall waste stream through improved purchasing practices, and by providing education to the Penn community.Strategiesinclude:

Instituteacomprehensivewaste•minimizationandrecyclingpolicy;

Providewidespreadeducationabout•whyandhowPennrecycles;and

Ensureadequateprovisionof•recyclingandwastebinswithincampusbuildingsandpublicspaces.

ESAC Recommendations

ThefollowingrecommendationsfrommakeuptheClimate Action Plan andalignwiththecarbonreductionactionplandevelopedbytheTCChanCenter(seeSection5.1),andfitintoanoverallcampusstrategytoreducecarbonemissions:

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Academics (Section5.9): The goal is to make climate change and environmental sustainability a part of the curriculum and educational experience for all Penn students.Strategiesinclude:

LaunchanewUniversity•undergraduateminorinSustainabilityandEnvironmentalManagement,availableinFall2009;

Providesustainability-related•programsforfaculty,staffandstudents,suchasworkshops,proseminarclasses,andthefocusofthe2010PennReadingProject;and

Expandstudentparticipationin•sustainabilityresearch.

Communications (Section5.10):The goals are to develop clear, concise, and accurate information about Penn’s sustainability commitments, while encouraging Penn’s community to participate in continued learning in this field.Strategiesinclude:

Establishandreinforcemessages•thatindividualbehavioriscriticalinmeetingtheClimate Action Plangoals;

Ensurethatallcommunications•areaccurate,easilyaccessible,andprovidevaluableup-to-dateinformation;and

Createeventsthatgalvanizethe•campuscommunityandbringattentiontotheUniversity’ssustainabilitycampaign.

A plan which involves the entire Penn community in the effort to reduce campus carbon emissions

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TherecommendationsoftheClimate Action Planaremeasurable,achievable,andconsistentwiththeimperativesassociatedwithPenn’ssustainabilityaspirations.TheserecommendationscontributetomeetingPenn’ssustainabilityaspirationsasfollows:

The entire Penn community must •contribute to the goal of energy conservation.EnergyconsumptionrepresentsthelargestenvironmentalandfinancialcomponentofPenn’soperations;

Penn must invest in high-performance •renovations and new construction, and ensure that buildings are maintained and operated to support Penn’s sustainability mission. Awell-designedandwell-builtcampuscanminimizelifecycleoperationandutilitycosts,andmaintainingahealthyindoorandoutdoorenvironmentforlearning,teaching,andresearch;

Every effort should be made to embrace •sustainable transportation to reduce emissions and congestion. VehicleusehasasignificanteffectonlocalenvironmentalqualityandonPenn’slivability;

Penn’s community must minimize •unnecessary consumption and recycle waste.Individualconsumerchoiceshaveanenormousimpactonwaste,handlingcosts,andenergyuse;

Penn must educate its stakeholders to •meet the environmental challenges of the future.Apreparedcitizenryisthebeststrategytomitigateenvironmentalthreats.

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TheGCP’scontinuedoutreachand•educationefforts,suchasastrongwebsitepresenceandthecreationofarobustcommunicationsplan.

TheSustainabilityTeam,ledby•Penn’sEnvironmentalSustainabilityCoordinator,willmanagesustainabilityprojects,andeducationandoutreachprograms.ThisofficeisanticipatedtogrowandtakeonexpandedresponsibilitiestoensuretherobustimplementationoftheClimate Action Plan.

TheEnvironmentalSustainability•AdvisoryCommitteewillcontinuetomeet,vetnewideas,andmonitorprogressoftheplan.AsESACiscomprisedofmembersfromavarietyofbackgroundsandroles,thesestakeholdersserveassustainabilityambassadorstotheirconstituenciesandthroughthemtotheUniversitycommunityatlarge.

Annualfundinghasbeenbudgeted•forkeyprojects(seeAppendixB),withproposedexpensescurrentlyunderreview.Senioradministrators

withbudgetaryauthorityareapprisedoftheClimate Action Plan’sgoalstoensurethatfuturefundingplansaredevelopedtocontinueimplementationintothefuture.

Keymetricsforsuccessare•monitoredandreportedregularly,andareeasilyavailabletoeverymemberofthePenncommunitythroughtheGCPwebsite(www.upenn.edu/sustainability).

Arobustcommunicationsplan,•launchinginFall2009,isdesignedtobothmotivateandeducatethePenncommunityandreportontheUniversity’sprogressonitscommitment.

AdedicatedGreenFundfor•sustainabilityprojectswillbelaunchedinFall2009,tomakeavailablegrantsofupto$50,000toanymemberofthePenncommunity.Aprojectwillbeselectedforfundingbasedonabilitytochangebehavior,educate,orimplementsolutionsthatreducecampusemissionsandimprovesustainability.

Responsibility

ImplementationofanendeavoraslargeandcomplicatedasaUniversitysustainabilityplandependsonthesupportandendorsementoftheTrusteesandtheUniversitypresidentandthesenioradministration,aswellasenthusiasticparticipationoftheinstitution’sstudents,faculty,andstaff.Penn’simplementationstrategyisdesignedtoeducateandmotivatePenn’s40,000-personcommunitytoreducecampuscarbonemissions,aswellastoencouragePenn’sexpansivealumninetworkandexternalcommunitytolivemoresustainability.AchievingthissharedgoalrequiressignificantinputandactionsfromeachschoolandcenteronPenn’scampus.Componentsofthestrategyinclude:

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