Securing a Sustainable Future

Environmental sustainability is a defining issue of the 21st century, and higher education can play a leadership role in addressing global climate change. Through the research, teaching, and operational practices articulated in its Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 4.0, Penn is dedicated to promoting a sustainable culture and implementing environmentally conscious policies. These pages aim to tie together Penn’s efforts, plans, and goals.

Download Penn's Climate & Sustainability Action Plan 4.0

Penn's endowment and sustainability endeavors

November 29, 2022

The world gathering in Egypt for COP27 reminds us of the urgency of our collective fight against climate change. Faculty, student, and staff attendees from Penn represent the energy and talent that so many Penn community members contribute to this crucial effort. This is an opportune moment to share our thoughts on the role of Penn’s endowment in combatting climate change. The complexity of the issue and the urgency of the climate challenge merit a thoughtful consideration and explanation of Penn’s policies.

Penn’s endowment exists to provide long-term support for Penn’s educational mission. This year, Penn will spend a record $960 million from its endowment to support student financial aid, faculty salaries, faculty teaching and research, Penn’s health system, and countless other programs that rely heavily on endowment spending. While the core purpose of Penn’s endowment is to provide this financial support, some have argued that large endowments should play a role in mitigating climate change and, in particular, that fossil fuels do not have a place in university endowments.

Full Announcement via Penn Today

President’s Sustainability Prize

Using satellites, drones, and AI for more sustainable and efficient agriculture

Piotr Lazarek, a fourth-year Penn Engineering and Wharton student from Pawłowice, Poland, won the 2025 President’s Sustainability Prize for Nirby, a real-time farmland management system addressing inefficiencies in fertilizer usage. The annual prize awards up to $100,000 for project implementation expenses to the student or team with a winning sustainability project, as well as $50,000 for living expenses for each student prize recipient.

Explore Climate Initiatives at Penn

students studying in vagelos common area

Campus & Community

Penn’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions within the endowment

Penn Today speaks with Chief Investment Officer Peter Ammon about the University’s climate goal and the challenges to overcome in order to achieve it.