By Katie Bartolotta & Isabelle Coupet
Posted December 31, 2020
Alternatively, presentation slides are available for those interested.
The Philadelphia 2030 District is a voluntary effort by the owners, managers, and developers of the city’s largest buildings to achieve deep reductions in energy use, water use, transportation emissions, and to improve stormwater management.
The initiative seeks to improve efficiency in Philadelphia buildings with goals to lower costs, reduce carbon emissions, improve indoor air quality and tenant comfort, and enhance the resiliency of the city’s new and existing building stock.
Philadelphia can make a direct and significant impact on reducing local carbon emissions by improving the performance of its largest buildings through the Philadelphia 2030 District.
Property partners are building owners and/or managers who commit property to meet the district goals. Community partners are government, non-profit, and civic organizations that provide support and expertise for the district. Resource partners are energy services companies, utilities, and professional firms that provide expertise, deliver services, and sponsor the district.
Each year, Green Building United aggregates progress toward the district goals.
As of our latest annual report, based on 2019 data, property partners have achieved significant reductions in energy and water use at the building level, and progress to reduce transportation emission and improve stormwater management districtwide.
Property partners meet the goals of the Philadelphia 2030 District through sophisticated operations, robust tenant engagement, and strategic investments in conservation and efficiency strategies.
With buildings and industry accounting for 79 percent of carbon emissions in Philadelphia, the 2030 District presents the region’s best opportunity to reduce its impact on climate change. Better building energy performance also lowers operational costs, improves indoor air quality and tenant comfort, and enhances the resiliency of the city’s new and existing building stock to the effects of climate change.
Using water efficiently in a building results in both direct operational cost savings and related energy savings.
Transportation is the second largest source of carbon emissions in Philadelphia. Discouraging single-occupancy vehicle commuting not only reduces transportation emissions but also improves quality of life by improving air quality and travel times.
Stormwater management has been added to the 2030 District goals to align with Green City, Clean Waters (GCCW.) GCCW is the City of Philadelphia’s plan to reduce stormwater pollution entering its combined sewer system using green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). GSI projects beautify communities, improve public health, create ecological habitat, and enhance local economic vitality.
To further contextualize the progress presented and how it relates to years past, we present limitations for both individual building-level as well as districtwide data collection and analysis.
The district is seeking additional property partners who commit their buildings to the meeting the goals of the district and participating in our peer community.