Congratulating the Partners of the Philadelphia 2030 District for a Successful Launch and Continued Efforts to Reduce the Impact of the Built Environment for the Benefit of All Philadelphians.

WHEREAS, Buildings are the primary driver of climate change in our region. Over sixty percent of carbon emissions in the City of Philadelphia come from the building sector, and an average commercial building wastes 30 percent of the energy it uses; and

WHEREAS, Buildings are also the best opportunity to mitigate and to adapt to future climate impacts. By focusing on conservation and efficiency efforts on some of the City’s largest buildings and the people that live and work in them, the City of Philadelphia can make significant progress toward mitigating climate and environmental impacts that affect all Philadelphians; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia 2030 District is a voluntary, public-private partnership that challenges large commercial and multi-family property owners and managers to reduce energy and water use, and transportation emissions from their individual buildings by 50% by the year 2030; and

WHEREAS, The initiative is being led by Delaware Valley Green Building Council. With approximately 15 million square feet already committed to the District, Philadelphia joined 17 cities that are part of the 2030 District Network; and

WHEREAS, Early adopters who have committed their buildings to reach the substantial reduction goals include Drexel University, Independence Blue Cross, Brandywine Realty Trust, Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, CBRE, Bedrock Group LLC, SEPTA, and the City of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia 2030 District brings together property owners and managers with utilities, energy service companies, and community organizations to create a community of best practice to achieve the reduction goals through strategies to increase awareness and change behavior of building occupants, improved operations by building personnel, and strategic capital investments by building owners; and

WHEREAS, Owners and managers who commit their properties to the Philadelphia 2030 District’s goals can realize cost savings while also lessening their environmental impact by assessing, tracking, and improving upon energy efficiency, water use, and transportation emissions. Participating property owners and managers gain access to a network of peers to share strategies and best practices, and may also access tools and resources to improve upon the performance of and add value to their assets; and

WHEREAS, The successful implementation of energy, water and transportation efficiencies through Philadelphia 2030 District will impact all Philadelphians, especially those who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Impacts include air quality and heat-related health problems, property damage from flooding and other extreme weather events, and the rise in cost to heat, cool, and maintain buildings; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby congratulate the partners of the Philadelphia 2030 District for a successful launch and continued efforts to reduce the impact of the built environment for the benefit of all Philadelphians.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Delaware Valley Green Building Council as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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