About 80% of Evanston's annual carbon emissions were from building energy use.  In support of the city's Climate Action Plan, the city passed and ordinance using the LEED rating system for new buildings.  All new buildings must now meet this certification, leading eventually to an all-green city.  Green buildings are expected to output at least 35% less emissions than their non-green counterparts.  Further, green buildings are expected to save costs for the owners over the lifetime of buildings, and as such the ordinance encourages savings where owners may not have considered them.  

This case study was nominated for ICMA's Annual Awards Program.