5/19/14 1

Catherine HurleySustainable Programs Coordinator

May 19, 2014

Evanston Climate Action Plan Update

5/19/14 2

Evanston Sets Bold Climate Action Goal

• 13% emissions reduction by 2012• 220 strategies over 7 categories • Model of community and City collaboration• Adopted November 2008

5/19/14 3

Evanston Achieves Climate Action Goal

5/19/14 4

• Smart policies establish Evanston as Green Building destination

• Electricity aggregation and local renewable energy deliver savings

• Strong culture and infrastructure for green transportation

• Community engagement

Keys to Success

5/19/14 5

Evanston an Early Adopter of STAR Community Rating System

5/19/14 6

Evanston Recognized as National Leader in Sustainability with 4-STAR Rating

5/19/14 7

Sustain Evanston is Formed, Facilitates New Climate Action Strategy

• Informal network of environmental groups• 12-month planning process • Builds upon success and lessons learned• Focus on energy and transportation• Public engagement campaign integral part of

plan

5/19/14 8

•Goal: 20% emission reduction by 2016•Action Plan: 5 Key Strategies

• Residential green power • Business green power• Building retrofits• Transportation change• Commitment by City and other major institutions

Evanston Livability PlanMay 2014

5/19/14 9

Evanston Livability Plan

• Strategy: Maintain 100% green power for residents

• Emissions Target: 1,915 MTC02e / year• What it will take:

– City secured 3-year contract for 100% green energy for aggregation program

– Add 500 residential customers/year

Residential Green Power

5/19/14 10

Evanston Livability Plan

• Strategy: Develop and implement green energy program for mid-sized businesses

• Emissions Target: 6,350 MTC02e / year• What it will take:

– Partner with Homefield Energy to promote green energy options

– Recruit 400 businesses to secure green energy

Business Green Power

5/19/14 11

Evanston Livability Plan

• Strategy: Improve building efficiency through intensive retrofit program

• Emissions Target: – 1,250 MTCO2e / year (residential)– 5,345 MTCO2e / year (commercial)

• What it will take:– Retrofit 250 homes/year– Leverage existing utility and other partner

programs

Building Retrofits

5/19/14 12

Evanston Livability Plan

Transportation Change

• Strategy: Improve transportation systems and drive behavior change

• Emissions Target: – 4,040 MTCO2e / year

• What it will take:– Reduce 1,428 vehicle miles traveled per

household – Remove barriers and enhance existing

transportation options – Engage community in public outreach campaign

focused on healthier mobility

5/19/14 13

Evanston Livability Plan

City and Major Institution Commitment

• Strategy: Secure commitments from seven major employers

• Emissions Target: – 333 MTCO2e / year (City)– 2% emissions reduction / year (Other Employers)

• What it will take:– Building retrofits, fleet efficiencies– Employee engagement campaigns for

commuting and workplace travel

5/19/14 14

Evanston Livability Plan Next Steps

• Create action teams for community engagement

• Reach out to large employers and business community

• Launch community engagement campaign

• EvanstonGreenBuzz.org and EvanstonLivability.org as hub for online resources

5/19/14 15

•Audubon Chicago Region•Citizens’ Greener Evanston•Evanston Environmental Association•Evanston Environment Board•Evanston Interreligious Sustainability Circle•Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse•Evanston Utilities Commission•League of Women Voters of Evanston•St. Nicholas Church Green Team

Evanston Livability Plan Endorsements

Staff and Sustain Evanston seek City Council Adoption of the Evanston Livability Plan and its Goals

5/19/14 16

For more information: cityofevanston.org/sustainability

evanstongreenbuzz.org

CERTIFIED 4-STAR COMMUNITY