Chicago has earned the world’s seventh Platinum certification with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Cities rating system. Among the initiatives that led to Chicago’s certification is its energy benchmarking ordinance and rating system, which has saved more than $39 million over the last three years. Chicago also has set a goal of using 100 percent renewable energy by 2025 and has committed the city to maintaining the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Chicago also was recently rated the greenest city in the United States, according to the U.S. Green Building Adoption Index. The city is also hosting USGBC’s annual Greenbuild conference in November.
LEED for Cities was launched in 2016 with the goal of recognizing citywide sustainability initiatives and successes. The rating system includes metrics to ensure cities: meet emissions targets; adopt LEED-based strategies to reduce energy, water, waste, pollution, and carbon dioxide; and improve air and water quality. LEED for Cities engages everyone, from private sector businesses and NGOs, public partners, to utilities. Washington, D.C., earned the first Platinum LEED for Cities certification last August.
This Quick Read was submitted by Greg Zimmerman, executive editor, Building Operating Management. Read his cover story profiling John Chadwick of Arlington (Va.) Public Schools.
