Low Emissions Vehicle Guide Now Available
Is your school or center considering the purchase of a low-emission vehicle? This new resource is intended to be a straightforward, easy-to-use document that provides:
· A general understanding of the concepts and benefits of purchasing low- or zero-emissions vehicles
· Resources for funding
· Recommended vehicle options (including alternatives for vehicle classes whose needs are not currently met by the available low- or zero-emissions vehicles)
· An overview of the purchasing process at Penn
· Information on infrastructure and other support
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Nominations Open thru July 29 for Green Purchasing Awards
This award recognizes the leading actions of any individual or team that advances the development of sustainable purchasing practices at Penn. It's a chance to spotlight those who are championing sustainability across campus, as well as celebrate projects that are contributing to a more sustainable future. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, July 29, 2022. Questions? GreenPurchasing@upenn.edu
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Is Your Office a ‘Green Office?’ |
As we approach the fall term and much of the campus is transitioning to in-person work, Penn Sustainability encourages staff and faculty to revisit their office’s sustainability practices. If your office is not already a certified “Green Office”, or may be approaching its renewal date, review the program and apply for certification. The more offices that participate in this program, the greater the collective impact.
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Penn Announces Construction Start on Central PA Solar Facilities |
The University of Pennsylvania announced that construction has begun on the solar energy project that is part of its Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed in April 2020. This PPA moves the University significantly closer to meeting its commitment of a 100% carbon neutral campus by 2042, as outlined in Penn’s Climate and Sustainability Action Plan.
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Climate & Sustainability Action Plan Videos
Share Our Goals
Penn Sustainability is producing a video series to illustrate some of the key programs in the Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 3.0. Released primarily on our social media channels, four videos have been released to date, Transportation, Physical Environment, Utilities & Operations and Procurement. Watch these fun short clips about Penn’s work towards our climate goals on our YouTube channel and remember to like and subscribe!
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In May, Penn gave away 100 free trees as part of our Creating Canopy program to Penn staff and faculty living in Philadelphia. Through a partnership with TreePhilly and with support from Morris Arboretum and Penn’s Landscape Architecture team, this program promotes greening in Philadelphia. READ MORE and check out the photo album.
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Penn Celebrates Earth Week
In April, Penn Sustainability supported the first University-wide Earth Week. Nearly 50 events were hosted by 27 different schools, centers, student groups, community organizations, and green teams. Activities ranged from native tree and fruit planting to litter clean-ups, e-waste drives, and teach-ins. Earth Week at Penn provided an opportunity for everyone in the Penn Community to take sustained action around themes of connecting with nature, resilience, and environmental justice. READ MORE
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30x30 Challenge Gets Penn Outdoors
Did you know that, according to the EPA, Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors? Over the last decade, researchers have been documenting what many of us know intuitively - that nature is good for our health and well-being. In light of this, Penn Sustainability hosts the 30x30 Challenge annually for the month of April, working in partnership with Penn Wellness in an effort to encourage the Penn community to get outside, learn about local ecology, and appreciate the beauty of nature. READ MORE
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Vaughan Lab Wins Annual Freezer Challenge
Congratulations to the winner of the 2022 Penn Labs Freezer Challenge - the Vaughan Lab in Penn Vet! The Freezer Challenge is part of the International Freezer Challenge supported by My Green Labs and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL). Lab freezers represent a huge opportunity for energy savings and increasing lab sustainability.
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Welcome 2022 Summer Interns
Penn Sustainability is excited to onboard 12 interns for summer 2022! Five students are working directly with Penn Sustainability on outreach and engagement, climate resilience, strategic waste, green labs, and transportation. Four students are working with faculty through the Integrating Sustainability Across the Curriculum (ISAC) program, and three students are working with external partners like the Philadelphia Energy Authority, the School District of Philadelphia, and the Office of Sustainability through the Civic Sustainability Fellows program.
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Work with Penn Sustainability
Penn Sustainability is hiring! We are accepting applications for an academic year photography intern. This position is a paid opportunity for the 2022-2023 Academic Year and will begin in early September 2022. This position will work closely with the Sustainability Office to document programs and provide high-quality photographs for use in annual reporting, website, social media, and other communications planning. Learn more about the Penn Sustainability Undergraduate Photography Internship.
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Move In Green Volunteers Needed
Students interested in early move in privileges and expanding awareness of sustainability across campus can now apply to be a Move-In Green Volunteer for Fall 2022. Volunteers also receive free food during volunteer shifts. Fill out a Volunteer application at the link below.
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