Atlanta meets Better Buildings Challenge goal

The Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge, part of the nation-leading public/private initiative of the federal Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge program, has achieved its energy reduction goal with a 20.3% reduction two years ahead of the 2020 goal, according to a press release.

The initiative, led in partnership with the City of Atlanta Mayor’s One Atlanta Office, Central Atlanta Progress/Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, Southface, Midtown Alliance and Livable Buckhead, set out to reduce energy and water consumption by at least 20 percent in participating buildings across Atlanta by 2020.

With more than 450 buildings representing over 115 million square feet committed to the Challenge, the Atlanta program is the largest of its kind in the nation. The portfolio of buildings include offices, healthcare, municipal buildings, K-12 schools, universities, hotels, and various other property types.

Through the success of the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge, participants have saved over $380 million and the city has benefited from a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 544,276 cars from the roads for one year. Additional outcomes include an economy strengthened through the creation or sustainment of jobs every year, stimulating local and regional economic growth. Reducing demand for energy and water has also reduced electricity generation, resulting in improved air quality and better public health.