PHILADELPHIA -- The grades are in: The University of Pennsylvania ranks among the top U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities for its sustainability initiatives, according to the 2010 College Sustainability Report Card.

Of the 332 schools evaluated, only 26, including Penn, were recognized as Overall College Sustainability Leaders, the report’s highest level of recognition. Penn’s campus operations and endowment practices merited an overall grade of A- in nine categories: administration, climate change and energy, food and recycling, green building, student involvement, transportation, endowment transparency, investment priorities and shareholder engagement.

“Penn is committed to becoming America’s greenest university campus,” Penn President Amy Gutmann said. “We’re delighted to again be recognized as a College Sustainability Leader and intend to continue setting the standard for higher-education institutions regarding energy conservation, waste reduction, emissions control, green design and sustainability education. What we do now through teaching, research and outreach will help determine the future well being of the planet as well as that of generations to come.”

The Report Card is designed to identify colleges and universities that are leading by example on sustainability and is funded by the Sustainable Endowments Institute, a special project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

More information on the College Sustainability Report Card is available at www.greenreportcard.org.

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