For the second consecutive year, Penn ranks among the top U.S. and Canadian universities for its sustainability initiatives.

The College Sustainability Report Card for 2010 recognized Penn as one of only 26 schools meriting its highest level of recognition: Overall College Sustainability Leaders. Campuses were graded on their operations and endowment practices in nine categories, with leaders receiving an overall grade of “A-.” The categories include 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,” said Penn President Amy Gutmann. “We’re delighted to be recognized again 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 wellbeing of the planet as well as that of generations to come.”

 The Sustainable Endowments Institute surveyed a total of 332 schools to create the report card, designed to identify colleges and universities that are leading by example on sustainability. Click here to see the full report card.

Originally published on Oct. 7, 2009