Getting Started
success stories
Houston Mayor Parker Announces Green Office Challenge Winners
by City of Houston Apr 25, 2012
City of Houston Creates Largest Challenge in U.S. Mayor Annise Parker (right) congratulates members of Smith and Associates Green The City of Houston, in partnership with ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, the Clinton Climate Initiative and over 25 Houston nonprofits, announced the winners of the City’s first annual Green Office Challenge on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. The Houston Green Office Challenge officially began January 1, 2011 becoming the nation’s largest.
Team, which took home the Overall Winner honors for "Greatest Implementation of
Green Building Innovations." Photo credit: Richard J. Carson
Since that time, the City of Houston has provided training opportunities and other resources, including financial incentives, to assist office building owners, property managers, management districts and tenants to increase their environmental and economic performance in the areas of energy conservation, waste reduction, water efficiency, cleaner transportation choices and property management/tenant engagement.
“The Green Office Challenge has been a success because of community commitment,” said Mayor Annise Parker. “More than 375 buildings and tenants participated representing approximately 75 million square feet.” In just the last year, with 176 buildings achieving LEED status, Houston rose from number seven to number four in the nation with the most LEED certified buildings and is quickly closing in on a top three spot.
Arlington County Businesses Save $2 Million With Green Games
by Arlington County Mar 26, 2012
On Thursday, March 22, 2012, Arlington celebrated the accomplishments of its Inaugural Green Games competition for the commercial office sector. More than 100 buildings and offices,
representing roughly 15 million square feet – or one third – of
Arlington’s office space competed for one year in a race to reduce
waste, energy and water use, and set other environmental goals. By deploying energy-efficient, no- to low-cost, and sustainable practices, Green Games participants realized a collective savings of $2M and prevented the release of 10,000 tons of CO2,
or the equivalent of taking 1,996 passenger vehicles off the road for
one year. Companies that showed the greatest achievements across areas
such as energy and water use, waste diversion and transportation choices
over the year were honored by Arlington County during the ceremony.
New York City Leads on Benchmarking Building Energy Efficiency
by Don Knapp Dec 20, 2011
While the U.S. remains a reluctant player in the global fight against climate change, New York City has emerged as a leader. At last week’s international climate talks in Durban, South Africa, the city received the inaugural World Green Building Council’s Government Leadership Award in “Industry Transformation” for its “Greener, Greater Buildings Plan” (GGBP) – a suite of energy efficiency measures designed to deliver a large scale impact. By concentrating on the largest existing buildings that are responsible for 45% of all citywide carbon emissions, the GGBP is expected to reduce citywide greenhouse gas emissions by 5% while saving hundreds of millions of dollars and creating thousands of new jobs. In a related development, New York City released its first report on the baseline energy efficiency of its own buildings. Since 2009, the City has energy benchmarked 2,730 buildings, including libraries, police stations, firehouses, schools, courthouses, health, community and family centers, and government offices. As it turns out, NYC government’s municipal buildings fall on both ends of the energy-efficiency spectrum and everywhere in between. Now with the benchmarking information, the City can identify which buildings to target for the greatest energy savings.
Davie, Florida, Leads on Urban Forestry and Sustainable Landscaping
by Don Knapp Nov 17, 2011
Green open space in Davie, FL. Photo credit: bfraz via flickr The Town of Davie, FL, is committed to expanding its community green spaces and protecting natural habitats. About Davie: The Town is located in Broward County in South Florida, and has 90,000 residents. Davie contains lush, rural landscapes and numerous parks, where equestrian activities are popular. Through a range of sustainable practices, Davie is
making its landscapes greener, creating a healthier community overall. The Town's Landscape Department:
Sustainable Landscaping
Read more »
Sonoma County Recognized as National Leader on Climate Action
by Emma Timboy-Pickering Aug 25, 2011
The County of Sonoma's Board of Supervisors have shepherded the County's Sonoma County, CA, has joined a handful of leading local
governments nationwide whose advanced climate action achievements place them at
the vanguard of a movement. On August 23, the County received a Milestone
Achievement Award from ICLEI USA’s Interim Executive Director, Michael Schmitz,
in recognition of the County completing the fifth and final Milestone of
ICLEI’s Five Milestones for Climate Mitigation process. What this means is that the County has quantified its climate action progress and has achieved one of its primary greenhouse gas reduction goals it set in 2003, thanks to a diverse range of initiatives and programs. “The County of
Sonoma is a vital part of the effort in California to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions,” said Schmitz. “ICLEI is proud to acknowledge achievement of the
important Milestone Five.”
national leadership and success on climate action. Supervisors, clockwise from
back left: Mike McGuire, Valerie Brown, David Rabbitt, Efren Carrillo, and Shirlee
Zane. Photo credit: County of Sonoma website
Fort Collins, CO, Cuts GHG Emissions 11% While Growing Local Economy
by Don Knapp Aug 14, 2011
Downtown Fort Collins, CO. Photo credit: ScottE22 via flickr A major kudos to longtime ICLEI member, the City Fort Collins, CO, which has reduced its C02 emissions by 11 percent since 2005. Here's some further inspiration for other cities and counties, courtesy of a Denver Post article: While cutting emissions, the City simultaneously grew its gross domestic product by 4 percent and was recognized nationally for its livability and business-friendly climate. During this period, the City's population also increased 13 percent. The bottom line: GHG reduction targets are not only achievable, but compatible with economic prosperity.
Denton, TX, Racking Up Sustainability Awards
by Rena Ragimova Jun 20, 2011
Denton, TX, Courthouse Square (Credit: David@UNT via flickr) Over the past several years, the City of Denton, TX, has been working hard to create a sustainable community through initiatives ranging from clean energy to clean water. This year city officials are getting much-deserved national recognition for their work, and collecting numerous high-profile sustainability-related awards from the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the American Public Power Association (APPA). ICLEI USA extends its congratulations for City of Denton's remarkable sustainability leadership! Below are the recent awards the City has received:
Orange County, FL’s Energy Efficiency Program Wins EPA Award
by Natasha Umer Mar 06, 2011
Photo credit: East Pole via Flickr Congratulations to Orange County, FL, which will receive EPA’s Excellence in Energy Star Promotion Award at an April 11, 2011 ceremony in Washington D.C. The County won the award for reducing energy consumption thanks to the Orange County Homeowner Energy Efficiency Program (OCHEEP!), launched in February 2010. The program provides residents with incentives to make their homes more energy efficient, since residential buildings are responsible for more than 20% of greenhouse gas emissions. Homeowners received up to $1,000 in rebates from OCHEEP! for the energy-efficient renovations—making the upgrades practically free while reducing monthly electricity bills and lowering GHG emissions. What makes OCHEEP! unique is its social networking aspect. Homeowners form groups of 10 or more to join the program and receive group efficiency trainings as they work through the program steps.
The Achievement
Energy Efficiency Improvements to Save Cincinnati $1 Million Per Year
by Natasha Umer Feb 22, 2011
Cincinnati cityscape. Credit: Oomni via Flickr Beginning February 2011, the City of Cincinnati will undertake a massive renovation to more than 70 city-owned facilities. The project will upgrade the buildings’ lighting, heating, air conditioning, and building automation systems to improve energy efficiency significantly. The energy efficiency measures will cost $14.5 million, but will be mostly paid for through energy savings over time. 
The Achievement
Los Angeles County Thinks Big on Energy and Climate
by Monica Gilchrist, Regional Officer Feb 16, 2011
Did you know that the County of Los Angeles is one of California's regional leaders on climate and sustainability action? Below, we highlight five of the most significant recent programs the County has undertaken. When you consider that LA County is the most populous county in the nation -- encompassing 88 separate municipalities, including City of Los Angeles -- you can better appreciate the far-reaching positive impacts of its actions. LA County participates in the Energy Upgrade California Program, which helps homeowners make home upgrades to reduce energy use, conserve resources and create more comfortable and efficient homes. Participating homeowners may be eligible for up to $4,500 in rebates and incentives. LA County's goal for the Program is to improve the energy efficiency of 18,000 houses in the County by the end of 2012.
Energy Upgrade California Program
