Yes, the university has direct involvement in, or input into, national government or regional nongovernmental organizations SDG policy development which includes identifying problems and challenges, developing policies and strategies, modelling likely futures with and without interventions, monitoring and reporting on interventions, and enabling adaptive management.

Penn State is a member of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) which promotes integrated approaches to implement the SDGs through education, research, policy analysis and global cooperation. SDSN members work closely with businesses and governments, particularly around the development and scaling up of new solutions. 

Penn State faculty conduct research and provide expertise that informs policy development. Penn State’s Earth System Science Center uses climate system models to understand the climate system and develop modeling tools to serve Penn State and the broader community.  

Penn State’s Center for Energy Law and Policy provides a hub for interdisciplinary research around pressing energy issues where technology, social and legal frameworks are ingredients to successful policy design implementation. It brings together scholars to explore how energy research might be used to inform regulatory approaches. 

Yes, Penn State initiates and participates in cross-sectoral dialogue about the SDGs as a member of National Council for Science and the Environment(NCSE) which engages scientists, educators, policymakers, business leaders, and government officials to advance the use of science to inform environmental decision-making and participates in annual conferences.

Penn State’s EnvironMentors received first and second place at the NCSE EnvironMentors Science Fair and Awards Ceremony in 2024.

The NCSE Drawdown 2021 Conference featured several presenters from Penn State. 

Penn State initiated and participated in cross-sectoral dialogue about the SDGs by partnering with Project Drawdown to co-host a conference for government, NGOs and academics and host Drawdown Scholars each year. This partnership explores and enhances plans to reverse global warming by clarifying a positive solutions-oriented path for action on climate change. By working with researchers from across the world, the team has already identified 100 of substantive solutions to address climate change.  

Yes, the university participates in international collaboration on gathering or measuring data for the SDGs.

Penn State gathers and measures SDG data as a member of the Water, Energy, Food Nexus in Africa Initiative. This network of academic, public and private sector institutions addresses scientific, social, environmental and engineering challenges at the water-energy-food nexus. A Penn State faculty member, Professor of Forest Resources Dr. Michael Jacobson, is the initiative’s director.  

As a member of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, we partner with a variety of organizations to assess progress towards SDG achievement at the national and local level.  

Penn State is a research collaborator for Project Drawdown which supports and advances the gathering and measuring of data for the SDGs. 

Our Experiential Digital Global Engagement program supports faculty focused on addressing SDGs with a Central Asia University Partnership grant from the American Councils for International Education. 

Penn State collaborates with the U.N. Economic Commission for Europe to support the Global Building Network aimed at advancing building science, construction, and management to address SDGs. 

Yes, through international collaboration and research the university reviews comparative approaches and develops international best practices on tackling the SDGs.

Penn State’s Global Building Network is an international collaboration of universities, non-governmental organizations, UN Member States, regions, municipalities and industry partners to develop best practices to address SDGs. The overall goal of the Network is to eventually eliminate, fossil fuel energy utilization in the operation of residential and commercial buildings while acquiring operational data that serves to continuously improve the methodology.  

Penn State is a member of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) which promotes integrated approaches to implement the SDGs through education, research, policy analysis and global cooperation.  

Penn State’s College of Agriculture’s Gender Equity through Agricultural Research and Education network of interdisciplinary scholars and researchers mission is to research innovative and sustainable gender integrated development practices. 

Yes, Penn State collaborates with NGOs on student volunteer opportunities, research programs, and educational resources.  

As a member of The Forum on Education Abroad Penn State collaborates to advance the SDGs through Education Abroad. 

Dr. Osama Awadelkarim in the College of Engineering at Penn State serves as a  UNESCO Chair and collaborates with a variety of NGOs to increase the number of youth and adults who have advanced technical and vocational skills. 

Student Affairs collaborates with many NGOs to provide student volunteer programs.  

The Sustainable Communities Collaborative collaborates with NGOs to connect them to faculty for engaged scholarship opportunities. 

Connecting Humans and Nature through Conservation Experiences program is an interdisciplinary environmental education program that collaborates with NGOs to support study abroad international field courses that immerse students in real-world environmental research and conservation efforts. 

The SDG Progress website serves as the public report on progress by The Pennsylvania State University towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Progress against the SDGs is also published in the Sustainability Institute biennial report, in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG1 in news and journal articles. Publications on SDG1 can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search or by following the link from the Publications icon on the SDG1 report page.

The university publishes progress against the SDGs in the Sustainability Institute biennial report, in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), on SDG1 in news and journal articles. Reports on SDG1 can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG2 webpage by clicking the Publications icon. We also track progress on SDG2 in our STARS report which addresses support for a campus food bank. 

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

The university publishes progress against the SDGs in the Sustainability Institute biennial report, in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG3 in news and journal articles. Research on SDG3 can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG3 webpage by clicking the Publications icon. We also track progress on SDG3 in our STARS report which covers our Wellness Program and Smoke-free environments policy. 

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

The university publishes progress against the SDGs in the Sustainability Institute biennial report, in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG4 in news and journal articles. Research on SDG4 can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG4 webpage by clicking the Publications icon.

We also track progress on SDG4 in our STARS report which tracks data related to affordability and access.

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

The university publishes progress against the SDGs in the Sustainability Institute biennial report, in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG5 in news and journal articles. Reports on SDG5 can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG5 webpage by clicking the Publications icon.

We also track progress on SDG5 in our STARS report which tracks progress on Diversity and Equity Coordination (section PA-5; 1.78/2.00 points), Assessing Diversity and Equity (section PA-6; 1.00/1.00 points), and Support for Underrepresented Groups sections (section PA-7; 3.00/3.00 points).  

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

The university publishes progress against the SDGs in the Sustainability Institute biennial report, in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG6 in news and journal articles. Research on SDG6 can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG6 webpage by clicking the Publications icon.

We also track progress on SDG6 in our STARS report which tracks progress on how we track water and sanitation management in sections OP-21, Water Use, and OP-22, Rainwater Management. 

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

The university publishes progress against the SDGs in the Sustainability Institute biennial report, in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG7 in news and journal articles. Research on SDG7 can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG7 webpage by clicking the Publications icon.

We also track progress on SDG7 in our STARS report which tracks progress on building energy efficiency in section OP-5 and on clean and renewable energy in section OP-6. 

Penn State’s Greenhouse Gas emissions dashboard tracks our progress on reducing emissions.

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

The university publishes progress against the SDGs in the Sustainability Institute biennial report , in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG8 in news and journal articles. Research on SDG8 can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG8 webpage by clicking the Publications icon.  

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

The university publishes progress against the SDGs in the Sustainability Institute biennial report, in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG9 in news and journal articles. Reports on SDG9 can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG9 webpage by clicking the Publications icon.  

Penn State’s Global Building Network facilitates evidence to action through global partnerships and network-to-network connections to accelerate decarbonization of the built environment at scale. It was created after Penn State was asked by the United Nations to lead a global network to advance building science, construction processes and building management. The network supports an international framework that will make buildings more sustainable, more efficient and healthier to live and work in through research, education, and outreach. See the Global Building Network website for report on progress. 

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

The university publishes progress against the SDGs in the Sustainability Institute biennial report, in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG10 in news and journal articles. Reports on SDG10 can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG10 webpage by clicking the Publications icon.

The We Are Stronger Together website of Penn State’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) program is part of University Development. On it, the Strategic Initiatives are outlined, which include these DEIB Goals:

• Create and sustain an inclusive workplace
• Engage with diverse external stakeholders
• Diversify our workforce
• Work with greater cultural agility

The site also includes a link to download the DEIB Strategic Initiatives booklet to read more about our division’s vision.

In the university Strategic Plan, Advancing Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity is tracked as part of the plan. Penn State established four planning goals related to empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all:  

1. Foster a culture of respect and inclusion that values the experiences and perspectives of faculty, staff, and students; 
2. Develop and implement curricula and scholarship that interrogate social issues and inspire social responsibility; 
3. Evaluate and rectify organizational structures, policies, and practices that cause differential impact and limit access and opportunities for faculty, staff, and students at Penn State; and, 
4. Recruit, support, and advance a diverse student body, faculty, and staff. 

Additional resources which are available to Penn State employees and students are posted on the Educational Equity Strategic Planning website. They include Inclusion and Belonging Resources and an Equity focused planning rubric.

The Penn State Select Presidential Commission on Racism, Bias, and Community Safety did a holistic review of the University’s operations and made recommendations to advance greater diversity, equity and inclusion across the university.

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.  

The university publishes SDG progress in the Sustainability Institute biennial report, in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG11 in news and journal articles. Reports on SDG11 can be accessed using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG11 webpage by clicking the Publications icon. We track progress on SDG11 in our STARS report section EN-10 Community Partnerships about efforts towards inclusion, resource efficiency, and more. These include the Sustainable Communities Collaborative which connects faculty, students and staff with local communities to address sustainability challenges through an engaged, collaborative effort to help develop and support thriving, healthy communities; and the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program, a federal-state-university partnership whose annual reports catalog the environmental impact of client activity including the reduction of air emissions, carbon dioxide production, kilowatts and water consumption. 

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

The university publishes progress against the SDGs in the Sustainability Institute biennial report, in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG12 in news and journal articles. Reports on SDG12 can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG12 webpage by clicking the Publications icon.

We also track progress on SDG12 in our STARS report which tracks progress on natural resources such as air (OP-1) and climate (OP-2), water use (OP-21), landscape management (OP-9), biodiversity (OP-10), sustainable procurement (OP-11), and waste minimization and diversion (OP-18). 

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

The university publishes progress against the SDGs in the Sustainability Institute biennial report, in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG13 in news and journal articles. Reports on SDG13 can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG13 webpage by clicking the Publications icon.

We also track progress on SDG13 in our STARS report section on Academic Courses which tracks progress on education on the issues including climate change mitigation. 

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

The university publishes progress against the SDGs in the Sustainability Institute biennial report , in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG14 in news and journal articles which can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG14 webpage by clicking the Publications icon.  

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

The university publishes progress against the SDGs in the Sustainability Institute biennial report, in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG15 in news and journal articles. Reports on SDG15 can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG15 webpage by clicking the Publications icon.

We also track progress on SDG15 in our STARS report which tracks progress on Landscape Management (OP-9) and Biodiversity (OP-10). 

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

The university publishes progress against the SDGs in the Sustainability Institute biennial report, in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG16 in news and journal articles. Reports on SDG16 can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG16 webpage by clicking the Publications icon.  

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

The university publishes progress against the SDGs in the Sustainability Institute biennial report , in the Penn State Sustainability e-newsletter Mainstream (link goes to Mainstream archives), and on SDG7 in news and journal articles. Reports on SDG17 can be accessed online using the Pure Elsevier search and on our SDG17 webpage by clicking the Publications icon.  

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

Yes, the university has a commitment to meaningful education around the SDGs across the university that is relevant and applicable to all students.

Penn State’s commitment to education around the SDGs is evidenced by the number of employees who conduct research on the SDGs, the number of courses and degree program that address the SDGs, and by the sustainability leadership, sustainable food systems, and renewable energy and sustainability systems degree programs.

Examples of how courses address the SDGs:

• Over 400 courses related to SDG2 were offered during the academic year
• SDG14 courses addressing ocean acidification were offered by philosophy, meteorology, and religious studies
• SDG11 is addressed in supply chain management, geography, architectural engineering, and polymer engineering science courses.

Course Descriptions & SDGs spreadsheet reflects courses which were identified by sorting and filtering for search terms in the entire course bulletin. A sampling of SDG search terms used to filter from the course bulletin:

• SDG 2: food
• SDG 11: diversity, community
• SDG 14: ocean, lake, pond
• SDG 15: biodiversity
• SDG 17: civil society

See the Course Descriptions & SDGs spreadsheet for the results.

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

Yes, the university does have dedicated courses (full degrees, or electives) that address sustainability and the SDGs.

Penn State has a number of dedicated courses, degree programs, and certificates that address sustainability and the SDGs. A search through the course bulletin provides information about degree and certificate programs that include sustainability leadership, earth and sustainability, biorenewable systems, environmental resource management, environmental studies, food systems, development and sustainability in Africa, environment and society, agricultural stewardship and conservation, and renewable energy and sustainability systems degree programs.

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

Yes, the university does have dedicated outreach educational activities for the wider community which includes alumni, local residents, and displaced people.

Penn State offers many outreach educational activities to the wider community. Most are shared on the Penn State Sustainability event calendar. These include: the GreenGov webinar series cohosted by the Governor’s GreenGov Council, the free and open to the public Intersections Film program which highlights the ways different sustainability challenges and solutions intersect, promoting awareness of and engagement with the SDGs, and the regular educational events for the wider community offered by the Student Farm.

Alumni activities which provide educational opportunities include the Sustainability Showcase Series and a monthly newsletter.

The Penn State Center for Immigrants’ Rights Clinic provides services and support, legal representation, and pro se assistance to detainees, and conducts legal research, and workshops.

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.

Yes, Penn State measures the sustainability literacy of students. The first assessment was conducted in 2018 across the student body. The assessment results were reviewed, and a redesign of the assessment was undertaken in 2022. In early August of 2022, the assessment group, comprised of faculty, staff, and students, produced the final draft of the Student Sustainability Survey. The 38-question survey includes cognitive, affective, and behavioral components to gauge overall sustainability knowledge and beliefs. The survey was launched on August 22nd, 2022 and remained open until November 18th, 2022. Recommendations from the assessment results, as reported to the Faculty Senate, included a call for an annual, university-wide Sustainability Literacy Assessment

In 2023, President Bendapudi announced plans to use the new literacy assessment on a regular basis. In a letter dated August 8, 2023 to the Faculty Senate, President Bendapudi stated “I recognize that our students are calling for a set of actions from the administration and acknowledge the importance of sustainability. I support a regular sustainability literacy survey and would like to see one conducted approximately every two years with a broad sample of students from University Park, our Commonwealth System, and World Campus.”

Plans are in place to conduct the next system-wide assessment in the fall of 2025.

Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals HERE and on progress towards SGD 17 HERE.