Chicago achieves renewable milestone for city buildings

With an annual energy use of approximately 800,000 megawatt hours, the City of Chicago claims it is poised to take a significant step towards its emissions reduction goals by transitioning to renewable energy.

The transition is expected to cut Chicago’s carbon emissions by 290,000 metric tons per year, the equivalent of removing 62,000 cars from the road; this brings the city closer to the goal of a 62 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 through direct investment and action by the City of Chicago, as outlined in the 2022 Chicago Climate Action plan.

“By moving to renewable energy for City operations, we’re moving closer to our goal of making all energy consumed in Chicago renewable by 2035, and ultimately to a more sustainable future for all”

“From both an environmental and equity perspective, this is a major achievement for the City,” said Angela Tovar, Chicago’s chief sustainability officer and Department of Environment commissioner.

“As one of the nation’s largest cities, we have a responsibility to lead through climate action that benefits the people and the planet. By moving to renewable energy for City operations, we’re moving closer to our goal of making all energy consumed in Chicago renewable by 2035, and ultimately to a more sustainable future for all.”

The transition also supports job creation and new economic opportunities for residents of Chicago and Illinois. As a result, the City became one of the first public customers to receive the Clean and Equitable Jobs (CEJA) self-direct credit, earned by complying with CEJA’s labour and equity provisions. As the City continues to push forward renewable energy initiatives, there will be a continued emphasis on jobs, training and career opportunities for Chicago residents.