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Chicago Wins Big with Green Office Challenge
by Rena Ragimova
A little friendly competition never hurt anybody. In fact, in the City of Chicago, a competition among the offices of the Central Business District has resulted in a whole lot of environmentally friendly changes in the way Chicago does business. Dubbed the Chicago Green Office Challenge, it was a race to see which offices and buildings could green their operations the most. More than 100 tenants and 39 property managers participated and made efforts to reduce waste, decrease water and energy use, and engage their colleagues. The Challenge was co-developed by ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA and the City of Chicago. 
Mayor Richard Daley (at left) recognized these leaders for their outstanding achievements in an awards ceremony. After one year, the big-time results from Green Office Challenge participants prove that this innovative program is a smash success—and worthy of replication in other cities and counties. Here’s what you get when you mix competition, recognition and environmental friendliness:
- a reduction of more than 72 million kilowatt-hours of electricity – equivalent to the energy used by 4,500 homes or using 125,000 barrels of oil
- keeping more than 54,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere – equal to removing more than 10,000 cars off Chicago streets
- a reduction of more than 5 percent in water usage and a diversion of more than 1,200 tons of materials from landfills
ICLEI provided the participants with necessary guidance and tracking
methods for waste, water and energy use, and trained all participants.
(At right, ICLEI USA Executive Director Martin Chavez congratulates Green Office Challenge winners at an awards ceremony in Chicago. To his right is Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.)
Why the Challenge Was Created
In Chicago, commercial buildings account for 39% of all GHG emissions. In 2008, Chicago put in place its comprehensive Chicago Climate Action Plan, and set the ambitious goal of reducing GHG emissions by 25% by the year 2020. To reach that goal it was clear that commercial buildings needed to shape up. Mayor Daley worked with ICLEI USA to develop a plan that would encourage the Central Business District to green its practices, and the Green Office Challenge was created.
Following the success of the Green Office Challenge in Chicago, the communities of Charleston, SC, Houston, TX, Port of San Diego, CA, and Arlington County, VA are now working on their own versions of the Challenge. ICLEI is working to help them and others set up their own programs. We will be keeping up with the efforts of these cities and counties, and will bring you stories of their successes and achievements.
Green Office Challenge award winners gather for a reception in Chicago and
congratulations from Mayor Richard Daley and ICLEI USA Executive Director Martin Chavez.
