President Clinton announces major partnerships to retrofit public and private buildings nationwide
The Clinton Climate Initiative announces new partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of hundreds of millions of square feet of public and private real estate throughout the United States.
The Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) will partner with the City of Chicago to enable a green overhaul of privately-owned housing around the city, as well as two major landmarks, the Sears Tower and the Merchandise Mart- the country's tallest and largest buildings, respectively.
CCI will also partner with GE Real Estate to identify and implement building retrofit projects across GE Real Estate's global portfolio.
In addition, along with the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), CCI will create a Green Schools Program to retrofit schools and universities across America.
"The tools we need to dramatically reduce our carbon emissions exist today," said President Clinton.
"When it comes to climate change, the hurdles we face aren't technological, they're organizational, which is why my foundation is partnering with cities, businesses, nonprofits and schools alike to design systems and programs that reduce energy consumption. I'm grateful to them all for working to show the world that the solution to the climate crisis isn't far off in the future- it's in the buildings we inhabit, our civic infrastructure and the way we organize our lives.
"Three projects were announced between the City of Chicago and CCI's Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program, an effort launched in May 2007 that enables cities to implement cost-effective, green retrofits of existing buildings.
"Chicago has always led by example when it comes to protecting the environment," said Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.
"The Clinton Climate Initiative will play a major role in helping us reach our goal of making Chicago the most environmentally-friendly city in the country."
CCI and the City of Chicago will work with the Merchandise Mart, the world's largest commercial building and largest wholesale design center, and the Sears Tower, the tallest building in America, to complete audits and subsequent overhauls to increase their energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprints.
In addition, CCI is developing a targeted program for energy retrofits of privately-owned, multi-tenant housing in Chicago. CCI is also partnering with GE Real Estate to identify and implement building retrofit projects across their global portfolio.
Work will begin in CCI's partner cities where GE Real Estate owns significant property. CCI and the US Green Building Council (USGBC) will work with K-12 schools throughout the nation to establish a Green Schools Program to reduce the energy consumption of school buildings.
"We are honored to have partnered with the President's Climate Initiative to convene this historic effort to green our nation's schools," said Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC's President, CEO & Founding Chair.
"Green schools are a powerful demonstration of our commitment to our children's future, and it's a powerful way to show the next generation how we can all make a difference in this world."