2024 Sustainability Week
Join us for the fourth annual Commonwealth Sustainability Week!
The week's events will feature daily webinars, each featuring subject matter experts followed by an open question & answer discussion providing folks the opportunity to share their questions and receive feedback in real-time. For any questions, please contact the GreenGov Council at ra-gsgreengov@pa.gov.
2024 Commonwealth Sustainability Week Kickoff – 2035 Drawdown: Discussion of Partnerships & Emissions Reduction Strategies to Support 2035 Goals
Presenters:
- Jessica Shirley, Secretary, PA Department of Environmental Protection
- Dr. Brian Regli, Ph.D., Executive Director of Critical Investments, Office of the Governor
- Dr. Lara Fowler, Director of Sustainability and Chief Sustainability Officer, Penn State University
Join in for the kickoff of the 2024 Commonwealth Sustainability Week by PA DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley!
Learn of the strategies needed & actions underway as we work together to achieve emission reduction goals within the Commonwealth by 2035 and beyond.
Climate Strategies at Work: Happenings Around the State
Presenters:
- Lori Yeich, Recreation and Conservation Manager, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
- Mathy Stanislaus, Esq., Vice Provost & Executive Director, The Environmental Collaboratory, Drexel University
- Hugh Johnson, The Environmental Collaboratory, Drexel University
- Dr. Mick Iskric, Jr, Superintendent, Steelton-Highspire School District
- Matt Steiman, Director of Energy Projects, Dickinson College Farm
- Kirk Stoner, AICP, Director of Planning, Cumberland County
- Bethany Ayers Fisher, Sustainability Manager, City of Reading
- Sara Gibson, Manager, Borough of Camp Hill
- Kathryn Semmens, Ph.D., Science Director, The Nature Nurture Center
- Melanie Patapis, Climate Action Manager, Swarthmore College
- Peter Boger, Ph.D, Director for Engagement, Penn State Sustainability
This session is packed with professionals from around the state working on climate actions in their communities and campuses. Join this session for some climate action highlights. As a participant, you'll have an opportunity to ask questions and network with our panelists.
Engaging Your Community: Local Climate Action
Presenters:
- Pam Adams, Sustainability Planner, Centre Region Council of Governments
- Neale Dougherty, Director of Sustainability, Bucks County Planning Commission
Learn of the successful community engagement models and tools employed in Pennsylvania!
Local and county governments are critical to the climate action needs and issues facing our communities – engagement in climate planning helps to truly represent the entire community.
A Regional Approach: New Opportunities through Appalachian Sustainable Finance Hubs
Presenters:
- Alaa Mohamed, Project Advisory, Steel Valley Authority
- Will Bernstein, Project Director, Steel Valley Authority
Discover new resources, partnerships, and funding available to support climate resiliency within communities across Appalachia! There is more federal government funding than ever before to support climate resiliency, though many communities lack the personnel, expertise, and infrastructure to take advantage. A regional coalition led by the Steel Valley Authority with participation of 5 states have obtained funding to create new Appalachian Sustainable Finance Hubs to address this challenge.
A Valuable Partner in Climate Change: Profiling the Climate Leadership of the Business Sector
Presenter:
- James Manser, VP of Global Government Relations, Johnson Controls, Inc.
- R. Timothy Evans, President, FNB Equipment Finance
Join us as Johnson Controls highlights their role to support client efforts on climate mitigation, resilience, and sustainability within the commercial buildings sector. Learn of their commitments to environmental sustainability and building energy efficiency. In addition, First National Bank will discuss financial solutions for renewable energy. Specifically, new opportunities for municipalities to pursue tax credits from the Federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Our partners at the 
Penn State Sustainability Institute define sustainability as the simultaneous pursuit of human health and happiness, environmental quality, and economic well-being for current and future generations.
The United Nations offer 17 Sustainable Development Goals that are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.
| No Poverty | Zero Hunger | Good Health & Well-Being |
|
Quality Education
| Gender Equality | Clean Water & Sanitation |
| Affordable & Clean Energy | Decent Work & Economic Growth | Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure |
| Reduced Inequalities | Sustainable Cities & Communities | Responsible Consumption & Production |
| Climate Action | Life Below Water |
Life On Land
|
| Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions | Partnerships For the Goals | |
The Sustainability Teams Group group is an interagency working group that develops sustainability policies and employee engagement opportunities. The group is comprised of the smaller agencies of the commonwealth, meaning those agencies that have a small operational footprint (fewer staff, buildings, and fleet vehicles, etc.) compared to the larger agencies. The agencies may be small operationally but have a big impact on commonwealth business and policy.