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City of Chicago Programs

The City of Chicago is a leader worldwide in its commitment to sustainability and BOMA/Chicago member buildings have been a major part of the City’s of innovative environmental initiatives.

The Chicago Climate Action Plan

The goal of the Chicago Climate Action Plan is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Buildings have been identified as a source of as much as 70 percent of all emissions in the City and are a focus of the strategies outlined in the Climate Action Plan. The main strategy is to retrofit 50 percent of commercial and industrial building stock to achieve a 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions.

As new technologies and options emerge, actions may change, the goal, however, will remain the same.

Learn more about Chicago Climate Action Plan.

Retrofit Chicago/Commercial Buildings Initiative

The Retrofit Chicago Energy Challenge encourages, supports and celebrates voluntary energy efficiency leadership among commercial, institutional and private buildings throughout the City of Chicago. In joining the program, building participants commit to:

  • Reduce energy use by at least 20% within five years of joining the program
  • Track and share energy efficiency progress through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
  • Serve as an ambassador to other buildings interested in saving energy.

Through these efforts, Chicago's leading buildings are reducing operating costs, increasing asset value, creating local jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, the Retrofit Chicago Energy Challenge includes more than 60 building participants spanning more than 44 million square feet, with a goal to expand to 80 building participants.

Learn more about Retrofit Chicago.

Green Office Challenge

Whereas many Chicago initiatives are geared towards buildings, building tenants also have the opportunity to participate in making Chicago the greenest city in the world.

The Chicago Green Office Challenge is an impact-driven program that encourages friendly competition among commercial offices and individuals to adopt sustainable practices at work and at home. By "playing" the Challenge, participants take concrete action to earn points for their companies and make our city more competitive, livable, and sustainable.

Learn more about Chicago Green Office Challenge.

Sustain Chicago

Sustain Chicago is a resource for all Chicagoans and those outside our city who wish to understand the potential impact of climate change and what individuals and the community together can do to live more sustainably. Sustain Chicago focus areas include energy, waste and recycling, water, transportation, food and compost, economic development, green space and stewardship and emergency preparedness.

Learn more about Sustain Chicago.