Holiday Heat Reduction Program aims to save energy during winter break – Penn State University

Report on Penn State’s 2025-2026 Holiday Heat Reduction Program and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Program Overview and Contribution to Global Goals

Penn State University will implement its annual Holiday Heat Reduction Program at the conclusion of the fall 2025 semester. This initiative is a core component of the University’s strategy to advance global sustainability targets, directly supporting several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By systematically lowering temperatures in designated campus facilities during the holiday break, the program actively contributes to:

• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): The program enhances energy efficiency across campus infrastructure, reducing overall energy consumption and associated operational costs.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): A primary objective is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, representing a tangible action to combat climate change at an institutional level.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The initiative promotes sustainable energy consumption patterns, aligning with the principles of responsible resource management.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): As a significant community institution, Penn State’s commitment to energy conservation demonstrates leadership in creating more sustainable and resilient campus environments.

The program operates in accordance with Penn State’s Energy Conservation Policy (AD64), underscoring its formal integration into the University’s operational framework for sustainability.

Implementation Schedule

The phased implementation for the 2025-2026 holiday period is scheduled as follows:

1. December 23, 2025: Participating buildings will commence a staggered transition to an unoccupied mode between 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Set-point temperatures will be reduced to 50°F, and ventilation systems will be deactivated.
2. January 1, 2026: To mitigate impacts on campus utility plants, buildings will begin a staggered return to a 60°F set-point between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
3. January 2, 2026: Buildings will be maintained in a normal unoccupied mode at 60°F throughout the weekend.
4. January 5, 2026: All participating buildings will return to their standard occupied schedules, with a morning start-up temperature of 70°F.

It is noted that designated research and critical operational spaces will be exempt from this program to ensure the integrity of ongoing projects and essential services.

Exception Request Protocols

Procedures have been established for faculties and departments to request exceptions based on specific operational needs.

• University Park Campus:
  • All exception requests must be submitted by Monday, December 1.
  • Submissions must specify the required dates and times for the exception and detail the business-related or research-specific need.
  • Requests require formal endorsement from the relevant dean or administrative officer before being sent to the designated Facility Coordinator.
  • The Facility Coordinator will forward all endorsed requests to the Penn State Office of Physical Plant for final processing.
• Other Penn State Campuses and Locations:
  • The campus executive office or the appropriate administrative officer is delegated the authority to determine the local setback program.
  • This authority includes reviewing and making final decisions on all exception requests.
  • All decisions are to be made in coordination with the Office of Physical Plant to ensure system-wide consistency.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article on Penn State’s Holiday Heat Reduction Program connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its focus on energy conservation and environmental impact reduction.

   • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

     This goal is central to the article’s theme. The program’s primary aim is to “conserve energy” and achieve “energy savings,” which directly supports the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. By reducing energy consumption, the university is promoting energy efficiency.

   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

     A university campus functions as a small community. The initiative to lower building temperatures is a measure to make the campus infrastructure more sustainable and reduce its overall environmental footprint. This aligns with the goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

     The program is a clear example of responsible consumption. By implementing a policy to reduce energy use during a period of low occupancy, the university is actively managing its consumption of energy resources in an efficient and sustainable manner.

   • SDG 13: Climate Action

     The article explicitly states that the initiative helps in pursuing the university’s “greenhouse gas reduction goals.” This directly links the program to taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, as reducing energy consumption from traditional sources leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   The article’s content points to several specific SDG targets:

   • Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

     The entire “Holiday Heat Reduction Program” is an energy efficiency measure. By systematically lowering temperatures from a normal occupied mode of 70°F to an unoccupied mode of 50°F, the university is actively working to improve its energy efficiency, which is the core of this target.

   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.

     The program’s stated goal of “greenhouse gas reduction” is a direct effort to reduce the adverse environmental impact of the campus community. This initiative is a concrete action to lessen the university’s overall environmental footprint.

   • Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

     Energy is a critical natural resource. The program, guided by the university’s “Energy Conservation Policy,” is a strategic plan for the efficient use of this resource, ensuring that it is not wasted during the holiday break.

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

     While the university is not a nation, this target’s principle applies at an institutional level. The existence of Penn State’s “Energy Conservation Policy” and the annual implementation of the heat reduction program demonstrate the integration of climate change mitigation measures into institutional policy and planning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

   • Indicator for Target 7.3 (Energy Efficiency):

     The article mentions “energy savings” as a key outcome. This implies that the university measures the amount of energy (e.g., in kilowatt-hours or BTUs) saved during the program compared to a baseline period. The specific temperature reduction from 70°F to 50°F is a quantifiable input for calculating these savings.

   • Indicator for Target 11.6 & 13.2 (Environmental Impact & Climate Action):

     The text explicitly refers to the university’s “greenhouse gas reduction goals.” This indicates that the university tracks its greenhouse gas emissions. The reduction in emissions resulting from the energy savings of this program would be a key performance indicator to measure progress against these goals.

   • Indicator for Target 12.2 (Resource Efficiency):

     The “energy costs” saved is a mentioned outcome. While a financial metric, it serves as a direct proxy indicator for the efficient use of energy resources. A reduction in cost corresponds to a reduction in consumption, demonstrating more efficient management of resources.

   • Indicator for Target 13.2 (Policy Integration):

     The existence and implementation of the “Energy Conservation Policy (AD64)” and the annual, scheduled execution of the “Holiday Heat Reduction Program” serve as qualitative indicators that climate and energy-saving measures are successfully integrated into the university’s operational planning.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Mentioned or Implied in the Article)
   SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.	Quantified “energy savings” resulting from the program; Reduction of building temperatures from 70°F to 50°F as a measure of reduced energy intensity.
   SDG 13: Climate Action	13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policies, strategies and planning.	Achievement of “greenhouse gas reduction goals”; Existence and implementation of the “Energy Conservation Policy”; Annual execution of the heat reduction program.
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.	Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for the campus community.
   SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.	Reduction in “energy costs” as a proxy for reduced consumption; Implementation of a program specifically designed for the efficient use of energy.

Source: psu.edu