Penn President Amy Gutmann has signed the American College and University Climate Commitment in an effort to combat global warming, University officials announced on Monday.
As a result of this pledge, Penn will develop a far-reaching plan that will entail reducing campus greenhouse-gas emissions and countering emissions from other places.
This signature represents a commitment on the University's part to develop a sustainability plan by 2009.
This commitment also requires the completion of a comprehensive inventory of all its greenhouse gas emissions; the purchase of at least 15 percent of its electricity from renewable sources; a commitment to a policy that new construction be built to the U.S. Green Building Council LEED Silver standards, or equivalent; and access to public transportation for faculty, students and staff.
Penn will also incorporate climate neutrality and sustainability into its curriculum and student life activities.
"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," Gutmann said in a press release, calling the issue a "defining" one of the 21st century.
The University currently purchases 30 percent of its energy from wind energy.
The Presidents Climate Commitment is coordinated and supported by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, Second Nature and ecoAmerica, working closely with the Leadership Circle of presidents and chancellors.
