Pittsburgh leads North America in properties committed to 50 percent reductions in energy, water, emissions by 2030

What it's about:

A city once known for steel and heavy industry, Pittsburgh has transformed itself into an economy founded on education, finance, healthcare, technology and sustainability.

The city’s positive trajectory has taken more than 40 years of hard work, including dramatic efforts to clean regional air and water; redevelop brownfields, riverfronts, and neighborhoods; and create new, homegrown technologies and approaches that create a truly sustainable city.

Today, Pittsburgh leads North America with the most buildings and properties formally committing to reducing their energy consumption, water use, and transportation emissions by 50 percent by 2030.

In collaboration with the international 2030 District Network, the Pittsburgh 2030 District announced in its 2016 Progress Report that property partners cut $19 million in 2016 energy costs by implementing innovations in lighting, heating, cooling, and ventilation, totaling $53 million in savings since initial reporting.

This equates to 13 percent energy avoided in 2016 alone, saving 982 million kBtu -- or the equivalent CO2 emissions generated by driving a car 271 million miles.

Why it's noteworthy:

Pittsburgh’s 2030 District participation helped prompt the City of Pittsburgh to become one of 23 cities mandating that non-residential city properties disclose their energy and water usage.

This 2016 benchmarking legislation creates transparency in the real estate market, compelling buildings to provide high levels of efficiency and performance.