The Undergraduate Assembly of the University of Pennsylvania passed a Climate Action Plan (CAP) resolution by unanimous vote this past Sunday.
 
Dan Sanchez, engineering senior and Undergraduate Assembly (UA) member, unveiled the university’s long-range plan to reduce its carbon footprint on Sept. 15.

One of the resolution’s eight clauses calls on the administration to join Cornell University and the College of the Holy Cross on their quest for carbon neutrality and set a date to bring the school’s net greenhouse gas emissions to zero.
 
The resolution’s final two clauses urge the University to continually update and strengthen the CAP, incorporating the ideas of collaborators like the UA and other student groups to properly implement the plan.
 
As part of the resolution, the UA is calling on the University to investigate incentives for environmentally friendly behavior and ways to reduce demands on natural resources.
 
Sanchez’s resolution suggested lowering rent for on-campus students who use less energy as a possible incentive. Measures such as this would only be possible if the University improved metering of energy use in buildings, requiring extensive renovations.
 
UA member Claire Choi mentioned said they are involved in an active discussion about initiatives, including a concern over sustainable showerheads.

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