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Pittsburgh 2030 District Achieves 2020 Goals Ahead Of Schedule; Members Saved $135 Million Since 2012

The Pittsburgh 2030 District has achieved its 2020 targets for energy and transportation, surpassing critical milestones in the international 2030 Challenge, according to the District’s 2018 Progress Report. The success marks the first time a 2030 District has incorporated renewable energy districtwide.

In 2018, District Property Partners decreased energy use by 23.5 percent below the baseline saving more than $30.6 million and water by 18.6 percent saving $ 7.9 million for a combined $38.5 million. District members have saved a total of $135 million since 2012 by their actions..

With water rates expected to increase another 19 percent in the near future in Pittsburgh, properties will continue to find higher returns on investment for water reduction projects in particular.

The District purchased a full 10 percent of its energy from renewable sources, and collectively avoided 279,000 metric tons of CO2e.

As the largest 2030 District in the world, the robust network of 540 properties-- representing more than 84.8 million square feet-- drives market standards for building performance.

Members of the District strive toward 50 percent reductions in energy use, water consumption, and transportation emissions by 2030, while improving indoor air quality.

The District successfully integrated the 2030 Challenge into the City of Pittsburgh’s Climate Action Plan, while linking development incentives to building performance for the first time in the city’s history.

The Pittsburgh 2030 District also relaunched the region’s first comprehensive commuter survey, Make My Trip Count. The survey captured over 20,000 residents’ transportation choices, measuring traditional transit modes like personal vehicles, light rail, and buses, in addition to ridesharing (such as Uber and Lyft), electric vehicles, and bike share users.

Transportation authorities like the Port Authority and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission are already incorporating survey data into their long-range transportation modeling.

“We are extremely grateful for the work of all those involved in the Pittsburgh 2030 District. The work that the district does in bringing together businesses and policymakers is invaluable,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “Working together, we are having a substantial impact on our region’s environment and our focus on sustainability is attracting innovative companies and encouraging investment in communities throughout our region.”

As a voluntary public-private partnership, the District represents unprecedented collaboration between developers, community organizations, and government officials.

“The 2030 District coalition has accelerated Pittsburgh’s progress toward vital international climate agreements. With the entire city united, Pittsburgh joins global leaders in our commitment to the Paris Climate accords and the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto.

Click Here for a copy of the 2018 Progress Report.

The Pittsburgh 2030 District is a strategic initiative of Green Building Alliance.

For more information, visit the Pittsburgh 2030 District webpage.

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