Earth Day Programs & Energy Efficiency Initiatives

Earth Day & Energy Efficiency Initiatives

Earth Day is on Monday, April 22. 2019. Below are various ways your teams and buildings can make our earth greener and more sustainable.

You can also check out this article by Bisnow for other ideas on how to celebrate Earth Day.

Earth Hour

Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The event encourages individuals, communities and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour as a symbol of commitment to the planet.

Earth Hour 2019 is scheduled for March 30 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Click here for more information.

Retrofit Chicago

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. Click here for more information.

Drawdown EcoChallenge

Drawdown EcoChallenge is a 21-day program focused on carbon reduction. The challenge takes place April 3 to 24 and follows actions highlighted in Drawdown, a book based on meticulous research that maps, measures, models and describes solutions to global warming that already exist.

Participants track and share their progress online and earn points for taking action. The EcoChallenge provides tools and inspiration to turn intention into action and gives participants a fun and social way to think about and act on proven solutions to reverse global warming.

Drawdown EcoChallenge is free and open to the public. Participants can join an existing team, create a new one or join the Community team. Click here for more information.

Earth Day Fair/Host a Recycle & Reuse Drive

Are you looking for new ideas to engage your tenants while also promoting greater sustainability within your building? You can host an Earth Day Fair at your building and partner with vendors and organizations who support sustainable causes.

You can also host a drive that promotes recycling and the reuse of everyday items. There are several local nonprofit organizations that reuse and recycle various items tenants may have on hand (and wish to discard). These items include including prom dresses, toiletries, old towels, technology items, eyeglasses and more.

Click here to review a list of drives you can host and nonprofits you can partner with for Earth Day.

The Water & Waste (W2) Challenge

The W2 Challenge is a two-year initiative where CRE professionals benchmark water and waste consumption and associated costs and implement best practices to improve performance. This program is managed by BOMA International.

Click here to learn more about the W2 Challenge.

Living Standard Campaign

Living Standard is a newly launched campaign by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This campaign collects and shares stories to prove that we all have the power to make a measurable impact on the quality of life.

Click here to learn more about Living Standard.