In June 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump made the highly contested decision to withdraw the United States from the landmark Paris Climate Agreement. This was met with an astounding reaction from politicians at the local and state level, CEOs of large companies, leaders of non-profits across sectors and individuals across the country.

The “We Are Still In” declaration and coalition, a bipartisan organization coordinated by many of the world’s leading business and sustainability-related groups, gained signed commitments from 281 cities and 2,161 businesses and investors stating they will do their part to achieving the standards set in the Paris Climate Agreement. IFMA signed the agreement in 2018.

Additionally, companies have signed on to “America’s Pledge,” promising to contribute data to climate action, communicate results and catalyze further climate action in the near term. The demand for climate action across the country has never been clearer.

Most of these cities, states, companies and organizations were already working on efforts to combat climate change. However, in June 2018, one year following the country’s withdrawal, Bloomberg Philanthropies upped the ante, announcing the American Cities Climate Challenge. This US$70 million, two-year acceleration program is designed to support ambitious U.S. cities’ efforts to tackle climate change and promote a sustainable future for their residents.

After a rigorous application and selection process, 25 cities were selected to participate in the Climate Challenge. They will be tackling head on energy efficiency in buildings, renewable energy, mobility and electric vehicles at the local level.

Together, these cities have committed to work on local actions that are anticipated to reduce carbon emissions at least 26 to 28 percent from 2005 levels. That equates to at least 40 million metric tons by 2025. Simply put, this is the same impact as closing 10 coal-fired power plants or removing 8.5 million passenger vehicles off the road for a year. If these cities are successful, they will collectively have done their part to meet the carbon reduction requirements mapped out in the Paris Climate Agreement.

A network of world-class partners is helping the 25 winning cities turn their ambitious goals into reality. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Delivery Associates (DA) will provide strategic guidance, resources and technical support to advance policies and programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and transportation, as well as increasing renewable energy. In addition to NRDC and DA, the cities will be working with several national partners* with expertise in areas such as building energy efficiency, renewables, mobility and electric vehicles.

Albuquerque

Atlanta

Austin

Boston

Charlotte

Chicago

Cincinnati

Columbus

Denver

Honolulu

Indianapolis

Los Angeles

Minneapolis

Orlando

Philadelphia

Pittsburgh

Portland

Saint Paul

San Antonio

San Diego

San Jose

Seattle

St. Louis

St. Petersburg
 

Washington, DC

  

Why is the Climate Challenge focused on buildings & transportation?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2018 Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, the buildings and transportation sectors are the largest sources of GHG emissions in the United States. Alone, the buildings and transportation sectors are the single largest sources of GHG emissions, and in aggregate, they emit nearly 61 percent of all GHG emissions in the United States. The largest emitter, at 32 percent of U.S. emissions, is the buildings sector. Globally, buildings account for 40 percent of total direct and indirect CO2 emissions. In many U.S. cities, the carbon emissions from buildings can soar above 70 percent.

“Technologically and commercially viable solutions exist, but we need stronger policies and partnerships to scale them up more rapidly.”

– Erik Solheim, U.N. Environment Programme Executive Director

Where does the Climate Challenge help?

The Challenge is focused on specific action items cities can implement to reduce GHG emissions in each of these sectors. These action items are not only industry best practices but are also field-tested policies and programs that catalyze market change while being cost effective. Cities will work with teams of national and local experts to implement projects ranging from renewable energy development and energy efficiency policies to electrical vehicle infrastructure deployment and expanded mobility options.

Cities across the nation have already taken bold and ambitious actions on reducing energy use in buildings. For example, in 2017, Salt Lake City created a full-time position in its facilities department dedicated to retuning. The role’s primary responsibility was to monitor energy data from all city buildings and perform retuning as necessary. The city funded the position along with a utility incentive that provided funding based on energy savings achieved. The incentive program required the retuning agent to work in partnership with the utility to develop sound energy strategies. Through this collaboration, the city saved enough in energy costs across 160,000 square feet of building space to more than fund the full-time position within the first year, as well as expand the work by certifying one of their facility managers in building operation recommissioning.

This is just one of many examples of good building management practices. Actions like this demonstrate both to the public and the building community that energy efficiency and climate mitigation are not only good social practices but are sound business moves. The Climate Challenge hopes to build on these great examples by using these practices as templates and expanding this knowledge to the rest of the nation.

What’s down the pipeline?

Over the next two years the Climate Challenge will help its 25 cities accelerate building energy policies and programs, including, but not limited to, financing programs, energy code enhancement, workforce development, energy benchmarking and building performance standards.

Energy experts know that true impact rarely happens within one organization alone. Municipalities partner with local organizations to create lasting change and realize true energy savings. Facility managers are the boots on the ground, maintaining and operating the equipment needed to make the business run. They are also the ones who hold the key to further energy savings. Without the expertise and skillset of facility managers, actual energy reductions aren’t realized at the building level.

What can you do?

Cities need the in-depth understanding of barriers to energy efficiency improvements from the facility managers who run the buildings. IFMA chapters and members are encouraged to work with policymakers, utilities and partners to find ways to overcome these barriers and implement industry-proven energy efficiency measures.

Cities are calling on facility managers to act in the following ways:

  • Join or create a sustainability committee in your IFMA chapter

  • Meet with city representatives to understand the specific building action items they are pursuing and how IFMA can help

  • Add to your career by obtaining IFMA’s Sustainability Facility Professional® certificate

  • Benchmark the energy use in your building and identify improvements

    • Contact your local utility to find ways to implement said improvements

    • Contact your city to find ways to implement said improvements

Facility managers have, for decades, ensured that all businesses meet production deadlines, that office spaces are comfortable, and that HVAC equipment are maintained. Let’s continue to improve our facilities and find ways to contribute to our community.