Penn State Carbon Emissions Reduction
In Spring 2021, former Penn State President Eric Barron charged a team of 23 Penn State faculty, staff, and students to formulate a plan to address climate change, one of the most complex and urgent issues of our time, by lowering the University’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) at all campuses. A year later, in Spring 2022, the Carbon Emissions Reduction Task Force issued a report that presented recommendations for the University to achieve 100% emissions reduction by 2035.
“The actions we are taking now position Penn State to substantially reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and foster the University’s commitment to sustainability. With a committed and focused effort, we can strive to become a carbon-neutral university and ultimately deliver positive benefits for humankind.”
In the News
Penn State cuts greenhouse gas emissions in half; targets future goals
Since 2005, Penn State has worked steadily toward lowering its University-wide greenhouse gas emissions. Along the way, the University set and met various goals — including a 17.5% reduction by 2012 and a 35% reduction by 2020 — and recently exceeded a 50% reduction, marking a major milestone.
President Bendapudi addresses climate action
With a goal of achieving 100% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2035, Penn State — under the direction of President Neeli Bendapudi — is moving forward with several of the recommendations presented by the University’s Carbon Emissions Reduction Task Force.
Task force unveils recommendations for Penn State to eliminate carbon emissions
Today, the Carbon Emissions Reduction Task Force unveils its recommendations for the University to achieve 100% emissions reduction by 2035.
Task force created to significantly reduce Penn State's carbon emissions
A Carbon Emissions Reduction Task Force has been created to reconsider Penn State’s greenhouse gas emissions goal with a view toward setting a more aggressive target as well as a revised timeframe.