UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — 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 in spring 2022. Taking steps to convert the University’s fleet to electric vehicles and pursuing a second renewable electric generation purchase are among the initiatives that Penn State will begin to implement immediately.

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.

“Since arriving, I have learned of the tremendous progress that Penn State has made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said President Neeli Bendapudi. “I am grateful to the Carbon Emissions Reduction Task Force for their work in identifying potential solutions for our great University, and I am pleased to support the initiation of several recommendations that will make a significant impact.”

According to Timothy White, task force co-chair and research professor in the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute and sustainability officer for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, Penn State has already reduced its GHG emissions by 42% since 2005 through strategies designed to use energy more efficiently, including investing in renewable energy; focusing on building energy conservation projects; and installing equipment for combined heat and power, which produces heat and energy from a single power source, among other initiatives.

“Despite being ahead of our long-term aspirational goal of 80% emissions reduction below 1990 levels by 2050, more recent scientific consensus suggests that more is needed and faster,” he said.

As a result, the Task Force’s report comprises a comprehensive roadmap of goals, milestones and actions that could position the University to meet a more aggressive goal of 100% emissions reduction by 2035. Penn State is committed to immediately implementing the following recommendations that will substantially advance this goal:

• Continue the Energy Savings Program: This existing strategy targets on-campus energy inefficiencies, including lighting, HVAC and other systems, with the goal of paying for improvements out of the savings within 10 years or less. This program has been responsible for the majority of the University’s GHG emission reductions to date, and Penn State is dedicated to continuing this important program.
• Pursue another renewable electric generation purchase: Aiming to duplicate the success of the recent Nittany Solar Project in Franklin County, Penn State plans to pursue another offsite renewable electricity purchase to lower emissions from University-wide electric grid purchases. A market assessment is currently underway.
• Downsize and electrify the University fleet: A study is currently in progress to explore the impact of downsizing Penn State’s vehicle fleet. Upon completion of the study, Penn State will explore conversion of the University’s fleet to electric vehicles. By both reducing the overall number of vehicles and electrifying the fleet, GHG emissions will be significantly reduced.  
• Expand the Sustainable Labs program: Some Penn State laboratories are energy intensive in large part due to their ventilation requirements. Penn State is currently investigating ways to optimize ventilation rates to safely lower energy consumption and GHG emissions. The Sustainable Labs Program is a pilot that is training students to support the shift from energy and resource intensive practices to more sustainable practices and is designed to incorporate sustainability into the operations of all Penn State scientific research labs and user facilities.
• Inventory emissions at affiliate locations: Penn State Health and the Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn College) are not currently included in the University’s overall emissions inventory and reduction strategies. The Hershey Medical Center campus has made great strides in the area of sustainability, and Penn State plans to include both locations in its future GHG reduction efforts.

• Explore carbon offsets: Some University GHG emissions will be difficult or impossible to eliminate, such as those from University-sponsored air travel or commuting. Carbon offsets can bridge the gap to achieve emission reductions. Internally, the University may be able to produce its own offsets. Penn State will form a committee of experts to further explore this opportunity.

The University hopes to pursue many of the other recommendations made by the Task Force in the longer term.

“The Task Force was charged to think big and find bold solutions,” said Robert Cooper, task force co-chair. “While some of the recommendations in the report are financially challenging, they are nonetheless worthy of consideration if new funding sources can be secured.”

To create a funding pipeline that may enable additional actions to advance Penn State’s goal toward carbon neutrality, the University will begin a fundraising effort to attract corporate, foundation and individual philanthropic gifts. In addition, in anticipation of potential new federal funding opportunities through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the University will identify, mobilize and support subject matter experts across a range of applicable disciplines to organize and lead efforts to prepare and submit proposals to these once-in-a-generation opportunities. 

“The actions we are taking now position Penn State to substantially reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and foster the University’s commitment to sustainability,” said Bendapudi. “With a committed and focused effort, we can strive to become a carbon-neutral university and ultimately deliver positive benefits for humankind.”