University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann was among 25 university presidents who have signed onto a global agreement in support of campus-wide principles and measureable goals for sustainable development, construction and operations. The agreement also states that these leaders support the incorporation of the study of sustainability principles and practice into their institutions’ educational offerings.

The university leaders, members of the Global University Leadership Forum, signed the Sustainable Campus Charter on Jan. 28, in Davos, Switzerland, site of the World Economic Forum.

This network of approximately 25 universities is promoting the development of sustainable campuses, greater access to essential medicines and the sharing of their digital teaching materials for underserved populations.

The group's goals underscore sustainability initiatives already launched at Penn under the University's Climate Action Plan.

At a Davos press conference, GULF leaders outlined work that is underway to effectively share the free digital resources being created by member institutions. Representatives from GULF institutions will be joining in March with the heads of key African universities to explore possible collaborations.